# The Country of the Pointed Firs — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett.

- [I: The Return](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/i-the-return.md): The narrator returns to the coastal village of Dunnet Landing, a place she first visited two or three summers earlier during a yachting cruise. She reflects on the unique charm of the town, its rocky shore, dark woods, a
- [II: Mrs. Todd](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/ii-mrs-todd.md): The narrator describes her summer lodging at Mrs. Almira Todd's small house, which lacks seclusion due to Mrs. Todd's bustling herb business. Mrs. Todd is a skilled herbalist who grows a variety of medicinal plants and b
- [The Schoolhouse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/iii-the-schoolhouse.md): The narrator, seeking solitude from Mrs. Todd's bustling medical practice and gossip, rents the vacant schoolhouse on the hill for fifty cents a week. She spends many undisturbed days there, enjoying the sea view and the
- [At the Schoolhouse Window](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/iv-at-the-schoolhouse-window.md): The narrator arrives late at the schoolhouse after attending the funeral of Mrs. Begg. From the window, she observes the funeral procession, noting Mrs. Todd's genuine grief, the mysterious Captain Littlepage, and the di
- [Captain Littlepage](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/v-captain-littlepage.md): The narrator is working in the schoolhouse when Captain Littlepage visits. He speaks of the recent death of Mrs. Begg, then shares his belief that truth about the afterlife can be known in this world. He recounts his fin
- [VI: The Waiting Place](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/vi-the-waiting-place.md): Captain Littlepage recounts his harrowing experience after the wreck of the Minerva, including his time stranded with a crippled old seaman named Gaffett at a remote Moravian mission. Gaffett told him of a mysterious nor
- [VII: The Outer Island](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/vii-the-outer-island.md): The narrator recounts a conversation with Captain Littlepage, who shares tales of the sea and the wreck of the Minerva, then discusses Mrs. Begg's funeral and the decline of shipping. Later, Mrs. Todd points out Green Is
- [Green Island](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/viii-green-island.md): Mrs. Todd wakes the narrator early, proposing a day trip by dory to visit her mother on Green Island. They set off with Johnny Bowden, ignoring advice from shore, and stop to take a haddock from a trawl. Mrs. Todd shares
- [IX: William](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/ix-william.md): The narrator describes a visit to Green Island, where she meets Mrs. Blackett and her shy, elderly son William. After helping with chores, William and the narrator climb to a high ledge for a panoramic view, sharing a qu
- [Where Pennyroyal Grew](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/x-where-pennyroyal-grew.md): The narrator and Mrs. Todd return to Green Island for dinner with Mrs. Blackett and William. After the meal, Mrs. Todd leads the narrator to a secluded cliffside pasture where they gather pennyroyal. There, Mrs. Todd rev
- [XI: The Old Singers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xi-the-old-singers.md): The narrator visits Green Island with Mrs. Todd, where Mrs. Blackett and William share a quiet, domestic afternoon. They sing old songs together, and the narrator feels the deep peace and love of the home. The day ends w
- [A Strange Sail](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xii-a-strange-sail.md): The narrator describes the arrival of Mrs. Fosdick, an old friend of Mrs. Todd, who comes to stay for a visit. The two women reminisce about their shared past, including stories of family, childhood, and life at sea, whi
- [XIII: Poor Joanna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xiii-poor-joanna.md): The narrator listens as Mrs. Todd and Mrs. Fosdick recount the story of Joanna Todd, a woman who, after a disappointment of the heart, chose to live as a hermit on Shell-heap Island. They describe her self-sufficient lif
- [XIV: The Hermitage](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xiv-the-hermitage.md): Mrs. Todd and Mrs. Fosdick discuss the story of Joanna Todd, who lived as a hermit on Shell-heap Island after a broken engagement. Mrs. Todd recounts visiting Joanna with the minister, describing her neat but lonely home
- [On Shell-Heap Island](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xv-on-shell-heap-island.md): The narrator sails with Captain Bowden to Shell-Heap Island, the former home of Joanna Todd, a hermit who lived in isolation after a deep sorrow. The narrator explores the island, reflects on Joanna's life and the univer
- [The Great Expedition](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xvi-the-great-expedition.md): Mrs. Todd plans a last-minute expedition to the Bowden Family Reunion, which has been rescheduled. The narrator learns of the change and prepares to accompany her. Mrs. Blackett unexpectedly arrives from Green Island, ha
- [A Country Road](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xvii-a-country-road.md): The narrator, Mrs. Todd, and Mrs. Blackett travel by wagon along a country road to the Bowden family reunion, making several stops to visit friends and enjoy the landscape. The journey highlights the deep connections bet
- [XVIII: The Bowden Reunion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xviii-the-bowden-reunion.md): The narrator describes the Bowden family reunion, a rare and festive occasion in the quiet coastal community. Mrs. Blackett and Mrs. Todd express deep satisfaction at gathering with kin, and the chapter follows their jou
- [XIX: The Feast’s End](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xix-the-feast-s-end.md): The narrator describes the Bowden family reunion feast, highlighting the elaborate pies and a gingerbread model of the old Bowden house. Speeches, poetry, and leave-takings underscore the deep bonds and isolation of the 
- [XX: Along Shore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xx-along-shore.md): The narrator explores the shore of Dunnet Landing and observes the old fishermen, particularly Elijah Tilley. After a brief encounter on the beach, she visits his home, where he shares memories of his late wife and his d
- [The Backward View](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xxi-the-backward-view.md): The narrator prepares to leave Dunnet Landing at the end of summer, feeling a deep sense of loss and regret. Mrs. Todd, avoiding a direct farewell, leaves gifts on the kitchen table, including a West Indian basket and th

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