One of Alexandra's most obvious characteristics is her uncanny connection with the natural world. The beauty, power and restlessness of the Divide seem uniquely reflected in her. But the centrality of nature and natural metaphors doesn't stop with Alexandra. Often, the narrator in O Pioneers! takes a step back from relating the human drama to dwell on the natural scenery—the landscape, the flora, even the changing seasons. This adds to the pastoral tone (check out "Tone" for more) of the novel, but also allows the narrator to comment on the story in a different way.
Questions About Man and the Natural World
- Does Alexandra's special connection to the Divide make her an ecological hero, as well? Why or why not?
- Though Ivar is portrayed as having a very strong connection to nature, what prevents him from being the novel's hero?
- Is Alexandra a "true pioneer"? Why or why not?
Chew on This
In the way O Pioneers! draws a distinction between "true pioneers" and inhabitants on the Divide, especially Alexandra's brothers Lou and Oscar, the novel supports a kind of frontier exceptionalism.
In O Pioneers!, Alexandra is portrayed as the novel's hero because her free will is uniquely in tune with the will of nature.