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Chapter 17
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Great Alone, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Trauma and Violence
Paranoia and the Vietnam War
Isolation
Family and Community
Death and Grief
Coming of Age
Summary
Analysis
The night of Earl’s funeral, Marge and Tom discuss what they should do about Ernt. Matthew overhears their conversation and worries that Ernt might hurt Leni. He grabs his bike and rides to the Allbright property, where he sees the beginning of Ernt’s barricade. Ignoring the barricade, he carefully approaches the Allbright cabin. Leni comes out and tells Matthew what her father has planned. Wanting to avoid Ernt, Matthew quickly returns home and tells his father and Marge what he’s learned. Tom worries that Ernt will cut Leni and Cora off from the rest of the world.
For the first time, Matthew understands that Ernt is dangerous. Ernt is no longer making empty threats, he’s begun to act on what he says. Tom and Marge know that this means trouble, if not for themselves, then for Cora and Leni. Everyone wants to help the Allbright women, but it is difficult to do anything if Cora refuses to press charges against her husband.
Themes
The following morning, Leni talks with her mother about Ernt’s plan. Cora thinks he’ll soon abandon it, to which Leni responds, “That’s what you’re going to rely on?” Soon afterwards, Marge comes walking through the door. She tricks Ernt into leaving and then offers her help to Leni and Cora. Cora rejects Marge’s offer, so Marge gets up to leave, reminding Cora that she will come running anytime Cora needs her.
Even after all that she’s seen, Cora still refuses to give up on Ernt. Though she remains sympathetic, her faith in her husband comes off as delusional, especially to Leni. Also, Marge’s ability to easily trick Ernt is a reminder that dangerous though he may be, he is not particularly smart.
Themes
Marge then offers to take Leni to school. Ernt protests, saying Leni isn’t allowed to finish school, but Marge threatens to call the police and he ultimately complies. On the ride to school, Marge expresses her sympathy for Leni’s situation and gives her an envelope. Inside is an acceptance letter for the University of Anchorage. Marge tells Leni that she is going to college no matter what; Tom will pay her tuition, Thelma will give her spending money, and Marge and Ms. Rhodes will purchase her books.
Like Thelma, Marge is willing to stand up to Ernt in a manner that other members of the community will not and cannot. Because Marge is a woman, she gets away with behavior that Tom would not. Perhaps this is because Ernt knows he cannot resort to physical violence with Marge, or maybe it is because she is willing to get the authorities involved. Regardless, Marge repeatedly proves effective against Ernt in a way no one else does. Marge also regularly organizes those around her to help out members of the community. She knows it is important that Leni goes to college, to get her away from her father if nothing else.
Themes
A few days later, Leni and Matthew graduate from high school. After giving Ms. Rhodes a big hug, Leni walks outside and sees her parents with a sign that reads “HAPPY GRAD DAY.” On the way home, Ernt and Cora ask Leni why she’s sad, and she tells them that she wants to go to a party at the saloon that Tom Walker is throwing in honor of the graduating seniors. However, as Leni expected, Ernt does not allow her to go. Leni begs him, but he only can tell her, “Sorry, Red. I can’t do it. Not even for you.”
Although Ernt is still willing to celebrate his daughter’s achievement, he only does so on his own terms. Even on his daughter’s graduation day, his ego gets in the way. As such, Leni once again misses out on an experience that is typical for someone her age. Instead, she is forced to return to the prison her father has built for her.
Themes
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