Driven Back to Eden · Chapter
We Can Make a Living in Eden explained
The first year on the farm draws to a close with the family celebrating the killing of pigs, preparing for winter, and enjoying new winter pleasures.
What happens
The first year on the farm draws to a close with the family celebrating the killing of pigs, preparing for winter, and enjoying new winter pleasures. On New Year's morning, Robert reviews the farm's finances with the family, concluding that they have made their living together and are healthier and happier than in the city.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Reliance and Hard Work
The family's collective labor on the farm provides their living, and Robert emphasizes that working together yields more than his city salary could.
Health and Wellbeing
Robert notes that the chief profit is not monetary but the children's sturdier forms, Mousie's red cheeks, and their healthier hearts.
Family and Parental Duty
The parents express relief that the country provides space for the children to grow away from bad influences, fulfilling their duty to raise them well.
Characters to notice
- Robert Durham
Reviews the farm's account book on New Year's morning, concluding they have made a living and are better off in the country.
- Mrs. Durham
Expresses contentment that the family has been led to the country by a kindly hand.
- Merton
Tracks rabbits with Junior and remarks that there is something for a fellow to do without being nagged by a policeman.
- Junior
Helps Merton track rabbits in the snow.
- Bobsey
Excited about the pig killing and later loses attention during the financial review.
- Winnie
Listens attentively to the financial review, trying to understand.
Key passages
“You have solved the problem, Robert, that was worrying you. There is space here for the children to grow, and the Daggetts and the Ricketts and all their kind are not so near as to make them grow wrong, almost in spite of us.”
Mrs. Durham tells Robert that moving to the country has solved his worry about the children's upbringing, as they now have space to grow away from bad influences.
Highlights the family's relief at escaping corrupting urban influences.
“The chief item of profit from our farm, however, is not down in my account book, but we see it in your sturdier forms and in Mousie’s red cheeks. More than all, we believe that you are better and healthier at heart than you were a year ago.”
Robert explains that the farm's greatest gain is not financial but the improved physical and moral health of the children.
Emphasizes the theme of health and wellbeing over material profit.