# II explained — So Big

> Chapter companion for So Big by Edna Ferber.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Beauty and Art

Selina perceives the cabbage fields as jewels and Persian patches, contrasting with Klaas Pool's practical view.

### The American Dream and Disillusionment

Selina's adventurous spirit and hope for a new life in the prairie, despite the harsh realities.

### Class and Social Mobility

Selina's move from Vermont to teach in a Dutch farming community, with August Hempel's rise from butcher to industrialist.

## Character check-ins

### Selina DeJong

Arrives at High Prairie to teach, full of adventurous spirit despite recent tragedy.

### Klaas Pool

Drives Selina to High Prairie; a truck farmer with a slow, humorous nature.

### Julie Hempel

Helps Selina prepare for her new life, reading Washington Irving with her.

### August Hempel

Arranges Selina's teaching position at High Prairie; a shrewd butcher and future packing magnate.

### Roelf Pool

Klaas's twelve-year-old son who works on the farm instead of attending school.

### Geertje Pool

One of Klaas's children who will be Selina's pupil.

### Jozina Pool

Another of Klaas's children who will attend school.

### Simeon Peake

Selina's father, quoted as saying 'The whole thing's just a grand adventure.'

## Key lines

> Cabbages is beautiful!

Klaas Pool finds Selina's description of cabbages as beautiful amusing and incomprehensible.

_Highlights the cultural and perceptual gap between Selina and the Dutch farmer._

> The whole thing's just a grand adventure.

Selina's father's words echo in her mind as she embarks on her new life.

_Sets the tone for Selina's optimistic and adventurous approach to her journey._

## Links

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