Cimarron · Chapter
Chapter XIV explained
Over twenty-five years, the Oklahoma Wigwam records the community's progress.
What happens
Over twenty-five years, the Oklahoma Wigwam records the community's progress. Yancey Cravat, restless and moody, engages in elaborate practical jokes on newcomers, often exploiting their fears of Indian uprisings. Sabra Cravat, content with her family and social leadership, is frustrated by Yancey's refusal of political office, including the Territorial governorship. Yancey fights for Oklahoma statehood and Indian rights, while Sabra secretly publishes opposition views. A new dress with balloon sleeves from Chicago causes a sensation, but Yancey's attention is on a telegram announcing the Cherokee Strip Opening. He proposes they make the Run and start a ranch, but Sabra violently refuses, leading to a hysterical outburst. Despite her efforts to anchor him with a farm, Yancey prepares to leave for the September opening.
Themes in this chapter
Pioneer Spirit and Manifest Destiny
Yancey's desire to participate in the Cherokee Strip Run and start a ranch embodies the restless pioneer spirit and the drive for westward expansion.
Gender Roles and Women's Agency
Sabra asserts her agency by refusing to follow Yancey's plan, running the newspaper in his absence, and leading social clubs, yet is constrained by her role as wife and mother.
Myth vs. Reality
The practical jokes exploit newcomers' myths about violent Indians, contrasting with the reality of a settled community and Yancey's advocacy for Indian rights.
Native American Dispossession
The Cherokee Strip Opening represents the ongoing dispossession of Native lands, and Yancey's fight for Indian rights highlights the tension between progress and injustice.
Characters to notice
- Sabra Cravat
Content with family and social life, but frustrated by Yancey's refusal of political office and his restless plans. She violently opposes the Cherokee Strip Run, has hysterics, and later tries to keep Yancey home by buying a farm.
- Yancey Cravat
Restless, moody, and irritable; engages in practical jokes, fights for Indian rights and statehood, refuses political office, and insists on making the Cherokee Strip Run despite Sabra's objections.
- Cim Cravat
Yancey's son, who is regaled with stories from Yancey's trips to reservations.
- Donna Cravat
Mentioned as one of the children Sabra calls for during her hysterics.
- Arita Red Feather
Household help who assists Yancey in calming Sabra after her hysterics and brings on supper.
- Isaiah
Household help who, with Arita, relieves Sabra of rough work.
- Jesse Rickey
Uncertain assistant who helps Sabra get out the paper during Yancey's absences.
- Felice Venable
Sabra's mother, mentioned as a model for Sabra's hysterical 'Marcy temperament' display.
Key passages
“in the quarter of a century that followed, every trace of the settling of the Oklahoma country had been lost, excepting only the numbers of the Oklahoma Wigwam”
After 25 years, all evidence of Oklahoma's settlement disappeared except for the newspaper archives.
The Wigwam serves as the sole historical record of the community.
“It was the day of the practical joke, and Yancey was always neglecting his newspaper and his law practice to concoct, with a choice group of conspirators, some elaborate and gaudy scheme for the comic downfall of a fellow citizen or a newcomer to the region.”
Practical jokes were common, and Yancey often abandoned his work to plan elaborate pranks on locals or newcomers.
Yancey's playful but time-consuming nature is highlighted.
“President Cleveland’s just issued a proclamation setting September sixteenth for the opening of the Cherokee Strip.”
President Cleveland announced September 16 as the date for the Cherokee Strip land run.
This event triggers Yancey's desire to move.
“Let’s get our hundred and sixty acre allotment of Cherokee Strip land and start a ranch—raise cattle—live in the open—ride—this town life is no good—it’s hideous.”
Yancey proposes they claim 160 acres in the Cherokee Strip and start a ranch, rejecting town life.
Yancey's restless pioneer spirit clashes with Sabra's settled life.
“Never! screamed Sabra. Her face was distorted. Her hands were clutching the air, as though she would tear to bits this plan of his for the future.”
Sabra screamed 'Never!' and gestured violently, as if destroying his plan.
Sabra's fierce opposition to the Run is dramatized.
“It was intended, as are all hysterics (no one ever has hysterics in private), to intimidate the beholder and fill him with remorse.”
Her hysterics were meant to manipulate Yancey into feeling guilty.
The narrator comments on the performative nature of hysterics.
