In Sarah, Plain and Tall, Anna and Caleb aren't the kind of children who long for magical powers or to go to wizarding school. Instead, they just dream of having a mother figure in their lives—one who will take care of them and bring joy and warmth into their little house on the prairie. When their father places an ad in the newspaper for a new wife, the kids put all of their hopes and dreams in Sarah, the woman who responds and then comes to stay with them. Throughout the book, it's clear that Anna and Caleb hope Sarah will choose to stay with them in order to fulfill their dreams of a happy, complete family.
Questions About Dreams, Hopes, and Plans
- What about Sarah makes the Witting children think she'd be a perfect addition to their family?
- How does Caleb envision a mother should act? Is his view different than Anna's? If so, how and why?
- Does Sarah come to the Midwest with dreams of romance and intrigue? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Caleb's never had a mother in his life, so he latches on to the dream of Sarah becoming his new maternal figure with great tenacity—and is terrified that it might not come true.
Sarah doesn't come to the Midwest with dreams of riches or romance; she just wants to find a family that she can love and feel accepted by, and she discovers that in the Witting family.