# XIV explained — The Song of the Lark

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

## What happens

Mr. and Mrs. Kronborg discuss Thea's future during a drive to Copper Hole. They decide to have her leave school to take over Wunsch's music pupils, raise her prices, and build a new room for lessons. Thea embraces the plan, gains many students, and spends her earnings on her family, finding comfort in her younger brother Thor.

## Themes in this chapter

### Artistic Ambition and Sacrifice

Thea's decision to leave school and take on many pupils shows her early commitment to her musical career, sacrificing a typical childhood for professional growth.

### Class and Social Mobility

Raising lesson prices and Thea's earnings allow her to contribute to the family's material comfort, reflecting aspirations for upward mobility.

### Gender and Independence

Thea's parents discuss her need for independence and a career, challenging traditional expectations of marriage and domesticity for women.

## Character check-ins

### Thea Kronborg

Thea leaves school to take on music pupils, raises her prices, and supports her family with her earnings.

### Mr. Kronborg

Proposes the plan for Thea to teach music full-time, raise prices, and build a new room for lessons.

### Mrs. Kronborg

Initially hesitant about Thea working too hard, but agrees to the plan and accompanies her husband to Copper Hole.

### Thor

The youngest Kronborg child, who provides comfort to Thea and is lavished with gifts from her earnings.

### Ray Kennedy

Mentioned as someone who might spoil Thea, according to Mr. Kronborg.

## Key lines

> Better pay than teaching a country school, and there would be more work in vacation than in winter. Steady work twelve months in the year; that’s an advantage.

Teaching music would pay better than a country school and offer year-round work, including during vacations.

_Mr. Kronborg highlights the financial benefits of Thea's new career path._

> She’s so serious that she’s never had what you might call any real childhood. Seems like she ought to have the next few years sort of free and easy.

Mrs. Kronborg worries that Thea has missed out on a carefree childhood and should have some relaxed years ahead.

_Mrs. Kronborg expresses concern about Thea's heavy responsibilities at a young age._

> Thea is not the marrying kind. I’ve watched ’em. Anna will marry before long and make a good wife, but I don’t see Thea bringing up a family.

Mr. Kronborg believes Thea is unlikely to marry and have children, unlike her sister Anna.

_Mr. Kronborg's assessment of Thea's temperament and future._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_song_of_the_lark_se/chapters/xiv
- 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