Part 1, Chapter 6 Summary

Gant is the home's life-force. He reads from Shakespeare, has Helen recite poems, and moves in great strides around the house, entertaining and energizing the family with his gusto. Always he builds great roaring fires. Food is abundant: apples are stored in the basement, hams and bacons hang in the pantry, and there are preserved fruits on the shelves. Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts are extravagant. "He had a Dutch love of abundance," we are told.

Part 1, Chapter 6 Analysis

It would be easy at this point in the story to come to the conclusion that this is Gant's story - that he is the protagonist, but this is not true. The story is Eugene's. All of this is prelude. Even so, this chapter is one of the best in the book as far as the picture of the family is concerned. Even...