# Chapter XVII explained — One of Ours

> Chapter companion for One of Ours by Willa Cather.

## What happens

Mr. Wheeler leaves for the ranch in February, and a few days later a massive blizzard strikes on Valentine's Day. Claude and Dan work to secure the cattle as snow piles high against the house. The family shares a warm supper, with Mrs. Wheeler recalling a past storm, and Claude eventually retires, observing the relentless snowfall with a sense of awe.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and the Land

The blizzard dominates the chapter, showcasing the power and beauty of nature as it isolates the farm and demands human resilience.

### Family and Individuality

The family unit comes together during the storm, with Mrs. Wheeler's storytelling and Mahailey's care highlighting familial bonds and roles.

## Character check-ins

### Claude Wheeler

Works in the corral to protect cattle, changes into dry clothes, enjoys supper, and later observes the storm from the window.

### Mrs. Wheeler

Anxiously watches the storm, ensures Claude and Dan change clothes, recalls a past snowstorm, and reads Bleak House aloud.

### Mahailey

Delighted by the storm, sweeps snow, prepares supper, and fusses over Claude's comfort.

### Dan

Works with Claude in the corral, reluctantly changes into dry clothes, and sits at supper in squeaky shoes.

### Nat Wheeler

Mentioned as having left for the ranch in February due to trouble with his foreman.

### Ralph Wheeler

Mentioned as having written about trouble with his foreman, prompting Mr. Wheeler's departure.

## Key lines

> The snow began to fall about noon on St. Valentine’s day, a soft, thick, wet snow that came down in billows and stuck to everything.

Around noon on Valentine's Day, a heavy, wet snow started falling in waves, clinging to every surface.

_Describes the onset of the blizzard._

> Mrs. Wheeler, looking anxiously out from the sitting-room windows, could see nothing but driving waves of soft white, which cut the tall house off from the rest of the world.

From the sitting-room windows, Mrs. Wheeler could only see swirling white snow, isolating the house completely.

_Highlights the storm's isolating effect._

> Claude struck the frozen window-frame with his fist, lifted the lower sash, and thrusting out his head tried to look abroad into the engulfed night.

Claude punched the icy window frame, raised the sash, and stuck his head out to peer into the snow-filled darkness.

_Shows Claude's attempt to confront the storm directly._

## Links

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