Chapter 22 - Prairie Fire
In this chapter, we see the Ingalls face many problems on the prairie, with obviously the largest being the huge forest fire that threatened to engulf their home if it weren't for the quick thinking of Ma and Pa. Other natural problems include the ploughing of the land around being very difficult as "the dead grass was so tall and thick". This idea of hard work is a constant theme throughout as everything the family do seems to come only through a lot of effort, linking to the idea of the 'American Dream'.
Not only this, but social issues too, as "Indians often came to the house. Some were friendly, some were surly and cross. All of them wanted food and tobacco, and Ma gave them what they wanted." This representation of the American Indians is somewhat negative, as it portrays them as fairly rude, saying "when an Indian pointed at something and grunted, Ma gave him that thing", showing them to be very intimidating and in the mindset of taking what they what. Through this the Indians seem to bully and use the settlers for their own gain and the young girls "they (Laura and Mary) always felt safer near Pa or Jack" revealing that, to them, only another man or a dog could protect them adequately. Later in the chapter, after the fire has settled, Mr. Edwards and Mr. Scott accused the Indians of starting the fire to "burn out the white settlers". This reveals the attitudes of some white Americans towards the Natives, assuming that they are violent and vindictive. "Mr. Edwards said there were too many Indians in those camps; he didn't like it. Mr. Scott said he didn't know why so many of those savages were coming together, if they didn't mean devilment. "The only good Indian is a dead Indian," Mr. Scott said." This vitriol's history is mentioned in passing by Mr. Scott as he says his wife "can't get the Minnesota massacres out of her head." An event which saw bands of Sioux Indians fight with and kill many US army personnel as well as white settlers. This use of non-fiction history gives a great backdrop and legitimacy to Mr. Scott's and Mr. Edwards' attitude and shows just how abrasive the relationship between the two groups were.
However there were those, such as Pa, who believed the Indians to be a peaceful group. "Indians would be as peaceable as anybody else if they were let alone. On the other hand, they had been moved west so many times that naturally they hated white folks." He sympathised with them and could see why they would perhaps partake in things such as the Minnesota Massacre. The importance of this is great as he, essentially, is the strongest character and primary male in the story, and acts as a role model in terms of his ideologies and actions towards the Indians. He doesn't see them as lesser people, but actually admires them to a degree, mentioning their buffalo hunt.
Looking at gender roles, nothing in this chapter is subverted or challenges the stereotypical ideas. Pa is seen ploughing the fields, working the 'hard labour' essentially alone, apart from the horses, and demonstrates a vast knowledge of agriculture. The women in this chapter are in the home, the most stereotypical role, and shown to be submissive towards the Indian men that enter the house, by giving them anything they point at. However, Ma demonstrates a great amount of strength and courage as she combats the fire alongside Pa. The act of strength juxtaposes the example of submissiveness and Laura also helped too. A lesser character, Mrs. Scott is briefly mentioned, her staying in the home instead of, like her husband, travelling to the Ingalls' home could again portray the roles of each gender in a stereotypical manner.
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