Summary
The Yearling is a beloved coming-of-age novel by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Published in 1938, it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction the following year. Set in the backwoods of Florida, the story follows young Jody Baxter as he adopts an orphaned fawn, exploring themes of family, survival, and the harsh realities of rural life in the post-Civil War era.
The novel's popularity has endured for over eight decades, selling more than 250,000 copies in its first year alone. It has been translated into over 25 languages, cementing its place as a classic of American literature. Rawlings's vivid portrayal of the Florida wilderness and her nuanced characters have captivated readers for generations.
Set in the Florida backwoods after the Civil War, The Yearling follows young Jody Baxter as he grows up on a small farm with his parents, Penny and Ora. Jody's life is filled with both hardship and wonder as he helps his family survive in the harsh wilderness. When Jody's father is bitten by a rattlesnake, he shoots a doe to use its liver as an antidote, leaving behind an orphaned fawn. Jody adopts the fawn, naming it Flag, and the two become inseparable companions.
As Jody matures alongside Flag, he faces the challenges of rural life, including conflicts with the neighboring Forrester family, dangerous wildlife, and the struggle to grow enough food. The novel explores Jody's relationships with his family, particularly his father Penny, who teaches him valuable lessons about nature and survival. Jody also forms a close friendship with Fodder-wing Forrester, a disabled boy who shares his love for animals.
The story takes a dramatic turn when a catastrophic flood hits the area, testing the Baxters' resilience. As Flag grows older, he begins to pose a threat to the family's crops, putting their very survival at risk. Jody's parents realize that Flag must be dealt with, forcing Jody to confront the harsh realities of adulthood and the difficult choices that come with it.
In a heart-wrenching climax, Jody is ordered to shoot Flag but cannot bring himself to do it. When his mother wounds the deer, Jody is forced to end Flag's suffering. Devastated, he runs away from home, facing hunger and loneliness before ultimately returning. The novel concludes with Jody accepting his new responsibilities as he transitions into adulthood, forever changed by his experiences with Flag and the lessons learned from his family and the unforgiving Florida wilderness.
Themes
Coming of age and maturity
Man's relationship with nature
Family bonds and sacrifice
Loss of innocence
Survival in harsh environments
The conflict between love and responsibility
The cycle of life and death
Setting
Set in the late 19th century, The Yearling unfolds against the backdrop of post-Civil War Florida. The story takes place in the rugged wilderness of the Big Scrub, a vast pine forest that once covered much of central Florida. This untamed landscape serves as both a source of beauty and hardship for the characters, shaping their lives and struggles.
The novel's primary setting is the Baxter family farm, a small homestead carved out of the wilderness. Nearby, the fictional town of Volusia and the city of Ocala provide glimpses of civilization amidst the wild terrain. The contrast between the isolated farm and these settlements highlights the family's remote existence and their reliance on the land for survival.
Rawlings vividly portrays the natural world of Florida's backwoods, from dense forests and swamps to sinkholes and flood-prone areas. The environment plays a crucial role in the story, presenting both challenges and opportunities for young Jody and his family. Through detailed descriptions of the flora, fauna, and changing seasons, the author creates a rich, immersive setting that becomes as much a character in the novel as the human protagonists.
Characters
Jody Baxter: The young protagonist, Jody is a curious and sensitive boy growing up in the Florida backwoods. He longs for a pet and forms a deep bond with an orphaned fawn he names Flag. Jody's coming-of-age journey involves learning harsh life lessons about survival, loss, and responsibility.
Ezra “Penny” Baxter: Jody's father, a kind and wise man. Penny is a skilled hunter and farmer who patiently teaches Jody about life in the wilderness. He shows compassion towards his son while also instilling important values. Penny's experiences during the Civil War and with his own strict upbringing inform his gentle parenting style.
Ora Baxter: Jody's mother, a stern and practical woman. Ora has a difficult time bonding with Jody after losing six children before him. She is focused on the family's survival and often clashes with Jody over his desire for a pet. Despite her harsh exterior, Ora deeply cares for her family.
Flag: The orphaned fawn Jody adopts as a pet. Flag becomes Jody's constant companion and best friend. The fawn's presence brings joy to Jody but also creates conflict as it grows and threatens the family's crops.
Fodder-wing Forrester: Jody's crippled friend from the neighboring Forrester family. Fodder-wing shares Jody's love of animals and gives Flag his name. His early death deeply affects Jody.
Buck Forrester: One of the Forrester brothers who is more friendly towards the Baxters. Buck is honest and helpful, often acting as a mediator between the two families.
Lem Forrester: The most antagonistic of the Forrester brothers. Lem frequently causes trouble for the Baxters and gets into fights with other characters.
Julia: The Baxters' prized hunting dog. Julia is loyal to Penny but distrusts Jody at first.
Quick facts
The Yearling was the bestselling novel in the United States in 1938, selling over 250,000 copies.
Author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings based the story on her experiences living in rural Florida.
The Yearling won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1939.
The Yearling has been translated into over 25 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, and Russian.
The novel's editor was Maxwell Perkins, who also worked with F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.
In 1946, The Yearling was adapted into a critically acclaimed film starring Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman, who both earned Oscar nominations for their performances.
Claude Jarman Jr., who played Jody Baxter in the film, won a special Juvenile Award at the Academy Awards.
In 1965, The Yearling was adapted into a Broadway musical, though it ran for only three performances.
Barbra Streisand recorded four songs from the musical adaptation.
A Japanese animated version of the story was released in 1983.
The novel's setting is now part of the Ocala National Forest in Florida.
About the author
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1896-1953) was an American author best known for her novel The Yearling. Born in Washington, DC, Rawlings developed a passion for writing at a young age. After studying English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she worked as a journalist before purchasing an orange grove in rural Florida in 1928. Inspired by the wilderness and people of Cross Creek, Florida, Rawlings began writing stories set in the region. Her first novel, South Moon Under, was published in 1933. However, it was The Yearling in 1938 that brought her widespread acclaim. This coming-of-age tale about a boy and his pet fawn captured the hearts of readers and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1939.
Throughout her career, Rawlings produced several other works including the autobiographical Cross Creek and the novel The Sojourner. Her writing often explored themes of nature, rural life, and human relationships with the land. Though sometimes labeled a regional writer, Rawlings rejected this categorization, believing her work carried universal meaning beyond just local color. Rawlings's ability to vividly portray both the beauty and harshness of rural life continues to resonate with readers. Her former home in Cross Creek is now a Florida State Park, preserving the environment that so deeply inspired her writing.
