Category
Poster - Textual or Investigative
Description
This paper investigates the reality of the Laura Ingalls Wilder’s experience that has been immortalized through her book series, Little House. The paper uncovers Wilder’s omissions from the series and explores how a full knowledge of her experience deepens the meaning of the books’ themes. Additionally, the paper addresses the controversial elements that Wilder included in her stories and the criticism she faced; this backlash is so severe that critics are calling for the removal of her books from schools. To explain these omissions, the themes they reinforce, and the books’ controversial elements, this paper utilizes extensive research that ranges from books to scholarly journals. The paper first outlines the shocking events of Wilder’s life that she excluded, such as her family’s stay at Burr Oak, the death of her brother, and the death of her son. Although Wilder omitted these details, she controversially allowed racist attitudes to remain in her stories; the paper explores how the historical conditions of Wilder’s lifetime influenced the way she depicted Native Americans. Although the words and actions of the characters in Little House are often full of prejudice, a positive portrayal of the relationship between the settlers and the Native Americans would be dishonest to the truth of the ugly conflict between them. The paper concludes by explaining how a deeper understanding of Wilder’s life and the historical context provides added meaning to the themes she emphasizes in her stories. The themes include contentment amidst hardship, the value of familial bonds, and the importance of hard work. Rather than erasing the truth of Little House, through the study of Wilder’s life and an acknowledgement of the beautiful and the ugly details, readers may learn from the life of an incredibly complex and resilient woman who gave her stories to the world to cherish.
The Reality of the Little House
Poster - Textual or Investigative
This paper investigates the reality of the Laura Ingalls Wilder’s experience that has been immortalized through her book series, Little House. The paper uncovers Wilder’s omissions from the series and explores how a full knowledge of her experience deepens the meaning of the books’ themes. Additionally, the paper addresses the controversial elements that Wilder included in her stories and the criticism she faced; this backlash is so severe that critics are calling for the removal of her books from schools. To explain these omissions, the themes they reinforce, and the books’ controversial elements, this paper utilizes extensive research that ranges from books to scholarly journals. The paper first outlines the shocking events of Wilder’s life that she excluded, such as her family’s stay at Burr Oak, the death of her brother, and the death of her son. Although Wilder omitted these details, she controversially allowed racist attitudes to remain in her stories; the paper explores how the historical conditions of Wilder’s lifetime influenced the way she depicted Native Americans. Although the words and actions of the characters in Little House are often full of prejudice, a positive portrayal of the relationship between the settlers and the Native Americans would be dishonest to the truth of the ugly conflict between them. The paper concludes by explaining how a deeper understanding of Wilder’s life and the historical context provides added meaning to the themes she emphasizes in her stories. The themes include contentment amidst hardship, the value of familial bonds, and the importance of hard work. Rather than erasing the truth of Little House, through the study of Wilder’s life and an acknowledgement of the beautiful and the ugly details, readers may learn from the life of an incredibly complex and resilient woman who gave her stories to the world to cherish.
Comments
Graduate - 1st Place Award Winner