Little House in the Big Woods

Although the later books in the series do not focus so much on storytelling, this one includes songs and stories in almost every chapter. A few of the songs are nonsensical, meant to evoke a feeling resulting from events in the chapter, or reflecting some of the popular ditties from the era. Others, however, and especially the longer stories that Pa or others tell, impart specific lessons involving morality and survival. In one, he tells the girls about how he was naughty and took too long to bring the cows home, resulting in a torn toenail and a whipping from his father. In another, Uncle Peter describes the unnatural behavior of his dog, whose hostility actually saved them from a panther. On Sabbath Sunday, Pa tells Laura a funny story about how hard it was for her Grandpa to be good on the day of rest. The stories are fun and mildly exciting for children, giving them knowledge in an engaging way about how to deal with the world around them. He is also imparting family history to his children in an era in which communication is more difficult due to distances and the level of technology and types of transportation available to people.

Throughout the story, though it is clear that the Ingalls family is eking out an existence that requires much hard labor for bare survival, Laura feels safe and cozy in her little house with her parents and sisters. Part of this, it appears, comes from the knowledge that her family can survive and be almost completely self-reliant in a sometimes hostile wilderness. It also comes from the comforts of home, which, when contrasted with the difficulties of daily life, seem all the more special and sweet. There are many moments of happiness to outweigh the fear and uncertainty of pioneer life, from Christmas with relatives to Pa’s nights of singing and fiddling at home: “All alone in the wild Big Woods, and the snow, and the cold, the little log house was warm and snug and cosy. Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura and Baby Carrie were comfortable and happy there, especially at night” (Page 38). That sense of security permeates The Little House in the Big Woods, which is one of the reasons it has become such a popular tale for children.