Little House on the Prairie is a classic children’s novel, based on the young life of its author, Laura Ingalls Wilder. First published in 1935, it chronicles the Ingalls family's adventurous move from Wisconsin in 1868, traveling in a covered wagon, in search of a better life on the American frontier. The novel, the third book published in the Little House series but the second in narrative order, follows the family’s challenging and eventful experience settling into what they hoped would be their happy new home in Montgomery County, Kansas, near the town of Independence, on the land of the Osage people.
Upon arrival, the Ingalls family—Charles (Pa), Caroline (Ma), Mary, Laura, and baby Carrie—confronts the stark realities of life on the prairie. After constructing a one-room log house with the help of a neighbor and starting a farm, the family faces the hardships and dangers of pioneer life. The narrative depicts their struggles with illness (including a disease then called “fever ‘n’ ague,” now known as malaria), encounters with the local Osage community (including a friendly chief), and the looming threat of conflict. Despite their hard work and strong bonds with other settlers, the family’s stay is cut short. As Pa learns, they are residing illegally on Indian Territory, and the US government plans to enforce the white settlers' removal.
The novel details their heart-wrenching decision to leave the prairie. Before members of the US Army arrive to force them out, Pa decides to abandon their homestead and the life they had begun to build. Providing a vivid depiction of late 19th-century westward expansion and pioneer life through the eyes of a little girl, Little House on the Prairie remains a cherished work of American children's literature.
Themes
Challenges and resilience of pioneer life
Family dynamics and relationships
Adaptation and survival in a new environment
Cultural encounters and conflicts
Work ethic and self-sufficiency
Nature and the human connection to the land
Childhood experiences and growth
Historical perspective on American expansion and settlement
Community and neighborliness in frontier settings
Setting
Little House on the Prairie takes place in the late 1860s, during the era of westward expansion in the United States. The Ingalls family leaves their home in Wisconsin and travels by covered wagon to seek a new life on the prairie of Kansas, which was then considered Indian Territory.
The novel is primarily set in Montgomery County, Kansas, where the Ingalls family builds a log cabin on land that was part of the Osage Indian reservation. While living on the prairie, the family encounters hardships and dangers, such as illness from malaria and tensions with nearby Native American tribes.
Throughout the book, Laura Ingalls Wilder vividly describes the vast and untamed landscape of the Kansas prairie, offering readers a glimpse into the challenges and experiences of pioneer life during the westward expansion of the United States in the late 19th century.
Characters
Laura Ingalls: The novel’s protagonist and narrator, a young girl who experiences the challenges and adventures of settling on the Kansas prairie with her family.
Charles Ingalls (Pa): Laura's father, who decides to move his family from Wisconsin to Kansas in search of better opportunities.
Caroline Ingalls (Ma): Laura's mother, who supports her husband's decisions and works hard to keep her family safe and healthy.
Mary Ingalls: Laura's older sister, who helps in taking care of the family and the house.
Carrie Ingalls: Laura's younger sister, who is just a baby during the events of this book.
Jack: The family's loyal bulldog, who accompanies them on their journey and provides protection.Minor Characters:
Mr. Edwards: A kind neighbor who helps the Ingalls family during their first Christmas in Kansas.
Osage Indians: Native Americans living near the Ingalls family, including a friendly Osage chief who averts conflict between the settlers and the Osage community.
US Soldiers: They inform the Ingalls and other settlers that they must leave Indian Territory, leading to the family's departure from Kansas.
FAQs
What is the main plot of Little House on the Prairie?
The book chronicles the adventures of the Ingalls family as they leave Wisconsin and move to Kansas, detailing their journey and settlement on the prairie. The story covers their experiences building a new home, farming, facing challenges from both the environment and the local Native American population, and ultimately being forced to leave by the government.
Is Little House on the Prairie based on a true story?
Yes, it is an autobiographical children's novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder, based on her own childhood experiences with her family during the late 1860s in Kansas, United States.
Who are the main characters in the book?
The main characters are Laura Ingalls; her father (Pa), Charles; her mother (Ma), Caroline; and her sisters,Mary and baby Carrie. Interactions with the Osage Indian tribe and other settlers are also pivotal to the narrative.
In what historical context is the story set?
The story is set in the late 1860s, specifically around 1869-70, when the Ingalls family moved to the Kansas prairie, which was then part of the Osage Indian reservation. This time period in American history was marked by westward expansion and settlement.
What challenges do the Ingalls family face?
The family faces various hardships and dangers, such as illness (malaria), distrust from Native Americans, and ultimately being forced to leave their homestead because it was on Native American territory.
What are the key themes of the book?
Key themes include family, resilience, the pioneering spirit of American settlers, adaptation to difficult situations, and the complex relationships between settlers and Native Americans.
Has the book received any awards or critical recognition?
In 2012, Little House on the Prairie was ranked number 27 among the Top 100 Children's Novels in a poll by School Library Journal. Along with other books in the Little House series, it has received critical acclaim for its depiction of American pioneer life.
How accurate is the historical setting of the book?
The book is based on Wilder's own experiences and captures the essence of the period it depicts, though it should be noted that some details have been fictionalized or adapted for storytelling. The historical context regarding the Ingalls family's settlement on Osage Indian territory and the eventual removal of white settlers by the US government is accurately portrayed.
How does the book fit into the larger Little House series?
Little House on the Prairie is the third book published in the Little House series, but the second book chronologically in terms of the events depicted in Laura Ingalls Wilder's life.
What can today’s young readers learn from Little House on the Prairie?
Little House on the Prairie endures as a beloved classic of children's literature. While parents might wish to discuss the historical context of westward expansion and the conflicts between white settlers and Native Americans depicted in the book, young readers can gain insights into the challenges faced by America’s pioneers and appreciate the values of family, hard work, and resilience.
Quotes
“There's no great loss without some small gain.”
“We start learning the minute we're born … And if we're wise, we don't stop until the Lord calls us home.”
“The stars and stripes were fluttering bright against the rain, clear blue overhead, and their minds were saying the words before their ears heard them.”
“Where a light can’t live, I know I can’t.”
“She liked the enormous sky and the winds, and the land that you couldn’t see to the end of. Everything was so free and big and splendid.”
“What’s a year amount to? We have all the time there is.”
Quick facts
Little House on the Prairie is part of the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, based on the experiences of her childhood. While the third book published, narratively it follows Little House in the Big Woods, making it often considered the second in the series.
The book is based on the real-life experiences of the Ingalls family when they moved from Wisconsin to Kansas in 1868.
The Ingalls family's move to Kansas was based on an erroneous belief that the territory would soon be open to white settlers. They built a home on Osage Indian reservation land, where they had no legal right to settle.
Real historical events are woven throughout the narrative, including interactions with Native Americans and the eventual order for white settlers to leave Indian Territory, reflecting the Ingalls family's real experiences.
Laura's younger sister, Carrie, was born while the family lived in Kansas, but in the book, she is depicted as already being present when they arrive.
The Ingalls family's original plan was to continue on to Minnesota, but they ended up returning to Wisconsin instead after learning that their old farm had gone into foreclosure.
Little House on the Prairie received a starred review from Virginia Kirkus, a notable figure in the publishing industry and the editor responsible for publishing the first Little House book.
The book was initially illustrated by Helen Sewell in 1935, but later editions feature illustrations by Garth Williams, who re-illustrated the Little House series in 1953.
In 2012, Little House on the Prairie was ranked number 27 among the Top 100 Children's Novels in a poll by School Library Journal.
The enduring popularity of the Little House novels inspired a television adaptation, called Little House on the Prairie. Starring Melissa Gilbert as Laura, the series ran for nine seasons, from 1974 to 1983.
About the author
Laura Ingalls Wilder, an American author, was born on February 7, 1867, in Pepin County, Wisconsin. She is best known for her series of Little House books for children, inspired by her childhood experiences during the late 19th-century period of westward expansion. Her youth mirrored the adventures and challenges of the era, culminating in her settling in Mansfield, Missouri, with her husband, Almanzo Wilder.
In addition to penning the beloved Little House series, Wilder was a skilled columnist and journalist, contributing to several publications throughout her career. Her autobiography Pioneer Girl provides a vivid account of pioneer life from South Dakota to Missouri, offering insights beyond her novels.
Despite provoking debate for their depictions of Indigenous people, Wilder's works have continued to captivate audiences worldwide, transcending generations with inspiring, emotional tales of courage, family, and perseverance against the backdrop of the American frontier. The Little House books have been translated into multiple languages and adapted into a successful television series and stage productions, showcasing their enduring appeal.
Beyond her writing, Wilder’s influence extended into advocating for agricultural and rural communities, particularly through her work with the Farm Loan Association and her numerous speeches. She was also a school teacher, a family farmer, and a mother. Laura Ingalls Wilder died on February 10, 1957, in Mansfield, Missouri. She is buried next to her husband and near their daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, a journalist, novelist, and editor who played a critical role in the publication and success of the Little House books.
