So Big · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for So Big by Edna Ferber.
Chapter 1
I
Selina Peake, living in a boarding house with her father Simeon, visits her friend Julie Hempel. She returns home to find her father has been killed by a stray bullet in a gambling house. The chapter then reflects on Selina's childhood, her father's profession as a gambler, and her early life moving from city to city.
Chapter 2
II
Selina Peake travels to High Prairie to begin teaching at the Dutch school, accompanied by Klaas Pool. She marvels at the beauty of the cabbage fields, comparing them to jewels and Persian patches, which amuses Klaas. The chapter introduces her background, her friendship with Julie Hempel, and the influence of August Hempel in securing her position.
Chapter 3
III
Selina arrives at the Klaas Pool farmhouse in High Prairie, meeting Maartje Pool and her two daughters, Geertje and Jozina. She is shown to her bedroom, where Maartje reveals a centuries-old Dutch bride's chest containing a bridal gown, cap, and wooden shoes. Selina feels a pang of homesickness for her father and Chicago, but also a sense of adventure.
Chapter 4
IV
Selina endures the harsh winter mornings at the Pool farm, refusing to dress behind the kitchen stove like the others. She battles the cold, the frozen water, and her icy corset, even drawing a demon face on the parlor stove drum. At school, she struggles with the stove and the wind. She finds solace in Roelf Pool, reading to him while he carves, and is enchanted by his crude but striking sketch of the Haymarket. A trip to Chicago to visit Julie Hempel ends in disappointment when Mrs. Hempel turns her away; Selina defiantly treats herself to a lavish luncheon at the Auditorium Hotel, then buys presents for the Pools and returns gratefully to the farm.
Chapter 5
V
Selina attends church and a box social, where she first notices Pervus DeJong and the Widow Paarlenberg. She bids on and wins Pervus's basket, leading to a conversation in which she offers to teach him arithmetic and reading in exchange for his help with the schoolhouse fire.
Chapter 6
VI
Selina begins teaching Pervus DeJong on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings at the Pool household. Roelf Pool, jealous of the attention Selina gives Pervus, acts out but eventually retreats to his work-shed. Selina feels an unsettling physical attraction to Pervus, which she struggles to understand. When Pervus is absent due to illness, Selina experiences emotional turmoil. He returns on March 14, and they share an evening making taffy with the children. Selina reflects on Pervus's farm troubles and her own growing feelings.
Chapter 7
VII
Selina marries Pervus DeJong in May, just two months after their engagement. She struggles with the reality of becoming a farmer's wife, confiding her fears to Maartje Pool, who shares her own story of running away before marriage. Selina works to win back the trust of Roelf Pool, who is hurt by her decision. The wedding is modest, with Roelf's hand-carved bride's chest as the one beautiful gift. After the ceremony, Selina moves into Pervus's house, already noticing the shabbiness of the market wagon and the lack of cleanliness. On her first morning as a wife, she wakes disoriented, calling for her father.
Chapter 8
Chapter VIII
Selina adapts to farm life, learning about its hardships and mismanagement while maintaining her home and appearance. She uses her savings and creativity to improve the house, bonds with Roelf Pool over shared aesthetic interests, and becomes pregnant. She gains insight into farming and marketing, while Roelf, after his mother Maartje's death, flees the farm for Chicago. Selina supports him but he leaves before she can give him money.
Chapter 9
IX
Dirk is eight years old, and Selina struggles against Pervus's traditional farming and parenting. She fights for Dirk's schooling and slowly pushes for agricultural innovation, like planting asparagus on the west sixteen. The chapter contrasts Selina's enduring spirit with the grinding farm work that threatens to consume her.
Chapter 10
Selina Takes the Reins
After Pervus's death, Selina DeJong defies the expectations of her High Prairie community by deciding to drive the farm's vegetable wagon to the Chicago Haymarket herself. Despite the shock and disapproval of neighbors, the hired hand Jan Steen, and even the Reverend Dekker, she prepares her produce meticulously and successfully navigates the chaotic market, claiming a prime spot and asserting her independence.
Chapter 11
XI
Selina DeJong takes her produce to the Chicago Haymarket, facing a devastating day of rejection and hardship. After sleeping in her wagon, she attempts to sell vegetables door-to-door on Prairie Avenue, enduring a humiliating encounter with a policeman who demands a peddler's license. She is rescued by her old friend Julie Hempel Arnold, who recognizes her despite her ragged appearance.
Chapter 12
XII
Selina DeJong, determined to give her son Dirk a beautiful life, resists offers of help from her friend Julie Arnold and Julie's father August Hempel. She insists on working the farm herself and keeping Dirk away from the Haymarket. August Hempel visits the farm, assesses the land, and warns Selina that one cannot live another's life or prevent their mistakes. Selina passionately defines beauty as all worthwhile things—leisure, travel, art, growth—and declares her life exists only as something for Dirk to use.
Chapter 13
Chapter XIII
Selina manages the farm with hired help while Dirk attends school. She tries to subtly guide his future without pressure, buying books and magazines on various professions. Selina learns of Roelf Pool's success as a sculptor in Paris. Dirk meets Mattie Schwengauer, a poor university student, and brings her to the farm for a weekend. Mattie's visit is a success, but fraternity pressure forces Dirk to distance himself from her. Dirk and Selina discuss his university plans, settling on Midwest University for a general course.
Chapter 14
Chapter XIV
Dirk works as a draughtsman at Hollis & Sprague, Architects in Chicago, but feels frustrated by the slow pace of his career. He spends weekends with Selina at the farm, where they discuss architecture and his ambitions. Dirk is increasingly drawn to Paula Arnold, whose wealthy lifestyle contrasts with his own. Selina senses his infatuation and worries about the social and financial gap. Dirk announces his desire to study architecture in the East, and Selina supports him. The chapter explores themes of ambition, class, and the tension between old and new in Chicago's architectural landscape.
Chapter 15
XV
Selina encourages Dirk to visit Paula Storm at Stormwood. Dirk visits Paula's lavish estate, where he is impressed by her stables and coach house, and they discuss his dissatisfaction with his architectural career. Paula's wealth and lifestyle both attract and unsettle him.
Chapter 16
XVI
Selina DeJong, now middle-aged and living a simple life on her farm, contrasts her own plain appearance and habits with the elaborate beauty routines of her friend Julie Arnold. Julie warns Selina that Dirk and Paula are spending too much time together and that people are talking. Selina confronts Dirk during a rare visit, expressing her disappointment that he has abandoned architecture for bond-selling and is becoming known as 'gilded youth.' Dirk defends his success and new lifestyle, while Selina mourns the loss of his creative dreams.
Chapter 17
Chapter XVII
Selina DeJong has become a successful farmer, famous for her produce, while her son Dirk achieves financial success in Chicago but lives a narrow, monotonous life. Selina contrasts her own vibrant curiosity and engagement with the city's diverse quarters with Dirk's insular social and professional circle. She occasionally visits Chicago for 'orgies' of exploration, but declines her son's and Julie Arnold's offers of lodging, preferring hotels. Dirk's apartment, furnished with Paula's help, feels cold and cathedral-like to Selina. She remonstrates with him about his limited life, but has grown reticent. The farm thrives, and Selina serves on the school board and truck farmers' association, picking up city visitors to stay at High Prairie.
Chapter 18
Chapter XVIII
Dirk DeJong, now a successful businessman, seeks a commercial artist for a national advertising campaign. He contacts Dallas O'Mara, a talented and independent female artist. Despite initial friction over her fee of $1,500, Dirk is captivated by her composure, beauty, and talent. Their professional relationship begins, and Dirk finds himself increasingly drawn to her, contrasting her with his wife Paula.
Chapter 19
XIX
Dirk DeJong, now a successful businessman, finds his values shifting under the influence of Dallas O'Mara, who sees life similarly to his mother Selina. He grows irritated with the pretensions of North Shore society, including fox hunting and Paula's social climbing, and confronts Dallas about her indifference to him, realizing she values struggle and scars over his smooth success. The chapter culminates with the impending visit of General Goguet and Roelf Pool, now a celebrated sculptor, stirring Selina's memories.
Chapter 20
Chapter XX
Dirk DeJong visits Dallas O'Mara's studio and unexpectedly finds her entertaining General Emile Goguet and Roelf Pool. Roelf, recognizing Dirk as Selina's son, proposes they all drive out to visit Selina on her farm. The group travels to High Prairie, where Selina is working in the fields. When she sees Roelf, she runs to him and embraces him.
Chapter 21
Chapter XXI
Selina hosts a tea at the farm for General Goguet, Roelf Pool, Dallas O'Mara, and Dirk. Dallas admires Selina's beauty and wants to paint her portrait. Roelf and Selina share a deep, affectionate conversation about their lives, with Roelf calling Selina 'wheat' and Selina calling him 'emerald.' General Goguet and Roelf kiss Selina's hand before leaving. Afterward, Dirk returns to his apartment, feeling like a 'rubber stamp,' and lies down in despair.
