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Chapter 1
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 following day, Leni wakes up and talks to her mother about Alaska. Leni hopes that they can put off the trip until the end of the school year, but Cora tells her that she doesn’t think that is possible. She then asks Leni to put on a blue dress that her father bought her. Leni does so but is annoyed; she is embarrassed that she has not gone through puberty, and the dress showcases that fact. Cora also dresses herself up to look professional, so much so that Leni almost doesn’t recognize her. Cora says she is taking Leni to run errands with her, though she does not go into specifics.
Leni has even less say over the family’s future than Cora. As a 13-year-old, she must listen to her parents, even if it means putting on a dress that doesn’t fit. Leni’s coming of age will become a key theme as the novel progresses, so it is significant that she starts as a prepubescent child. The dress that doesn’t fit is one of many times when Leni’s parents will ask her to look, think, or act mature for her age. However, because Cora is reticent about the nature of their errands, it is implied that there are things Leni has yet to learn about her parents and the world of adulthood.
Themes
The first stop of Leni and Cora’s errand run is a trip to the bank. Cora makes Leni wait in the car. Before too long, Cora returns angrily. Cora is upset because she attempted to withdraw money, only to find that Ernt has used up all their savings. Additionally, she learns that she is not allowed to open a credit card without Ernt’s or her father’s signature. Cora tells Leni “It’s a man world, baby girl” and then speeds her way to the freeway.
Once again, Cora is shown to have little power in her relationship with Ernt. Not only is she unable to open a new account, she also didn’t know the old one was empty, suggesting that she has no control over the family’s finances. However, although Cora isn’t in control, she also isn’t blind to her situation; she likely suspected something like this to happen, which is why she makes Leni wait in the car.
Themes
Cora and Leni drive to a ritzy neighborhood of Seattle where Leni has not been for a long time. Eventually, they arrive at a lavish house. Cora tells Leni to wait in the car alone but Leni refuses because women have been going missing all over Washington. Cora decides to let Leni come with her. The house belongs to Cora’s parents, although only her mother, Mrs. Golliher, is home. Mrs. Golliher is surprised but happy to see Cora and Leni. She gives Leni a copy of Pippi Longstocking that she bought for her years ago.
The women going missing around Washington is a reference to the Ted Bundy murders, another event that led to American paranoia in the 1970s. Ted Bundy is one of America’s most infamous serial killers and serial killing, in general, was on the rise during this time period. Also, the book Mrs. Golliher gives Leni is indicative of their estrangement; Pippi Longstocking is a book for young children, meaning Leni likely hasn’t seen her grandmother for over five years.
Themes
The conversation between Mrs. Golliher and Cora quickly becomes confrontational, as Cora gives her mother the Alaska news. Mrs. Golliher is vehemently against the plan; she does not trust Ernt and thinks the move is dangerous for Cora and Leni. The reason she has not seen Cora and Leni for such a long time is because Ernt is not allowed in her house. Eventually, the argument ends with Mrs. Golliher asking, “How much do you need this time?” Afterward, Cora and Leni drive home in silence, and Cora is clearly upset. When they arrive home, Cora tells Leni that she cannot tell her father that Mrs. Golliher gave them money. Leni is not comfortable with hiding this information, but she agrees. When they go inside, Ernt is there, and he has already marked their route to Alaska. He tells Cora and Leni that they depart in four days.
Red flags continue to pop up regarding Ernt and his condition, which foreshadow trouble in the future. Although the Allbrights love each other, Ernt and Cora don’t trust one another; Ernt doesn’t allow Cora control and Cora keeps information from Ernt. However, there is a strong bond between Cora and Leni, one that will continue to be tested as the novel goes on. Additionally, this is the first of several instances in the novel where Ernt will make sudden decisions, often without fully thinking them through. Alaska is a unique and dangerous place; it is not somewhere to casually pick up and move to on a whim, but that’s pretty much what Ernt is doing—and dragging his family into.
Themes
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