Preview of The Ponder Heart Summary:

The book's social concerns are essentially its theme. In showing the decline of the Ponders, and hence of the aristocracy they represent, Welty suggests that artificial community social constructs are doomed to fail. Edna Earle sees herself as one who has to protect the childishly irresponsible and lovable Daniel from the world and from himself (he likes to give money away), but what she is actually doing is trying to protect the Ponder name, social position, and resources — all of which have become rather meager. In the end, Daniel joyfully distributes the entire family fortune — the bank made a mistake and gave him the money — turning his trial into a riot of acquittal, but ultimately isolating him because people who took his money could no longer face him. Even though the novel ends on a sad note, the book's tone is predominantly light. Welty has...