# XIII explained — The Song of the Lark

> Chapter companion for The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather.

## What happens

Wunsch departs Moonstone after losing his pupils, leaving a marked score for Thea. Thea runs to the station to say goodbye. Later, Wunsch suffers a breakdown, is found in the sand hills, and is brought to the Kohlers' home. During the night, he becomes violent, chasing Spanish Johnny away and chopping down the Kohlers' dove-house before being subdued.

## Themes in this chapter

### Artistic Ambition and Sacrifice

Wunsch's departure and breakdown highlight the precarious life of a musician and the sacrifices made for art; his faith in Thea's future underscores the theme.

### Community and Alienation

Wunsch's isolation and the Kohlers' care for him contrast with his eventual violent alienation; the community's response reflects both support and estrangement.

### The Role of Place and Environment

The desert landscape and Moonstone's small-town setting shape Wunsch's memories and Thea's character; the Kohlers' garden and dove-house are central to the chapter's climax.

## Character check-ins

### Herr Wunsch

Leaves Moonstone after losing pupils; inscribes a score for Thea; suffers a breakdown and becomes violent, chopping down the Kohlers' dove-house.

### Thea Kronborg

Runs to the station to say goodbye to Wunsch; later discovers him in the sand hills and is sent away by Dr. Archie.

### Mrs. Kohler

Mends Wunsch's clothes and prepares a bed for him; grieves his departure and later witnesses his violent rampage.

### Fritz Kohler

Makes trousers for Wunsch; helps care for him during his breakdown; barricades the door when Wunsch becomes violent.

### Dr. Howard Archie

Finds Wunsch in the sand hills and arranges his transport; later administers a sedative to calm him.

### Spanish Johnny

Stays to watch over Wunsch but flees when Wunsch becomes violent and threatens him with a chair.

## Key lines

> Einst, O Wunder! — A. Wunsch Moonstone, Colo., September 30, 18—

Wunsch inscribes a mysterious German phrase ('Once, O Wonder!') in a score he gives to Thea before leaving.

_The inscription reflects Wunsch's belief in Thea's potential and his own artistic longing._

> She had been running. Ah, she will run a long way; they cannot stop her!

Wunsch watches Thea run to the station and thinks she will go far in life, unstoppable.

_Highlights Wunsch's prophetic faith in Thea's future and her determined nature._

> He would never come back, the poor man; she knew that. He would drift on from new town to new town, from catastrophe to catastrophe.

Mrs. Kohler realizes Wunsch will never return and will continue a life of wandering and misfortune.

_Emphasizes the transient and tragic fate of itinerant artists in the West._

> Die Bäume, die Bäume! He is cutting our trees, Fritz!

Mrs. Kohler cries out that Wunsch is chopping down their trees.

_Shows the destructive climax of Wunsch's breakdown and the threat to the Kohlers' cherished garden._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters