# II explained — One of Ours

> Chapter companion for One of Ours by Willa Cather.

## What happens

Claude and Ernest Havel enjoy a peaceful picnic by the creek before the circus, reflecting on their friendship and contrasting temperaments. Claude's discomfort with his family's frugality and his brother Bayliss's insinuations is highlighted, as is his admiration for Ernest's simplicity and directness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Rural vs. Urban Life

The chapter contrasts the peaceful, natural setting of the creek with the bustling, commercial atmosphere of Frankfort during the circus.

### Class and Social Mobility

Claude's discomfort with his family's frugality and his awareness of social expectations, as well as Leonard Dawson's success despite lack of formal education.

## Character check-ins

### Claude Wheeler

Enjoys a picnic with Ernest, feels constrained by family expectations and his own cowardice about social conventions.

### Ernest Havel

Claude's friend, a Bohemian boy who is simple, direct, and intellectually free; shares a picnic and memories of his arrival in America.

### Bayliss Wheeler

Claude's brother, who makes insinuating remarks about Ernest and has a black eye.

### Mrs. Wheeler

Claude's mother, fond of Ernest; remembered for welcoming Ernest on his first night in America.

### Leonard Dawson

A successful young farmer who meets Claude at the circus; their conversation ends amicably but Claude feels judged.

### Mahailey

Mentioned as being enlightened by the boys' words of wisdom during study sessions.

## Key lines

> Claude could usually forget his own vexations and chagrins when he was with Ernest. The Bohemian boy was never uncertain, was not pulled in two or three ways at once. He was simple and direct.

Being with Ernest helped Claude set aside his frustrations, because Ernest was straightforward and never conflicted.

_Highlights the contrast between Claude's inner turmoil and Ernest's clarity._

> In the Wheeler family a new thrasher or a new automobile was ordered without a question, but it was considered extravagant to go to a hotel for dinner.

The Wheelers would spend freely on farm equipment or cars, but dining at a hotel was seen as wasteful.

_Illustrates the family's skewed sense of economy and social norms._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/one_of_ours_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/one_of_ours_se/chapters