Prairie Folks

"Prairie Folks" by Hamlin Garland is a series of stories that take place in the American Midwest during the late 1800s. The book explores the lives of the early settlers of the prairie, showing their difficulties, connections with one another, and everyday life. The stories focus on hardship, moral strength, and the chase for happiness in tough situations, giving a clear picture of country life in America. For example, one story introduces Uncle Ethan Ripley, a farmer who can tell what kind of person you are by how you sit in a wagon. When he meets a traveling salesman, their talks show Ethan’s uncomplicated, hardworking life and creates a funny disagreement when Ethan lets the salesman paint an advertisement on his barn, which his wife doesn't like. The way the story mixes talks between characters, details about them, and country life shows Garland's sharp eye for human nature and the standards of society on the frontier.