Environmental Conservation

Through the many struggles in the Riddell family related to the house and the dissolution of the family fortune, the author clearly holds a strong interest in conserving natural resources. Indeed, it is a central philosophical conflict between several of the novel's main characters.

In the past timeline, Ben, the heir apparent of Riddell Timber, begins to feel conflicted not only about the danger of the timber industry but the rampant clear-cutting of thousands of acres of land. With Teddy Roosevelt as a personal hero, Ben must go up against his shrewd and cruel timber baron father, Elijah, with his philosophical support of conservation and the idea of national parks. This business conflict in addition to Ben’s personal life conflict leads to a family rift and Ben's possible suicide. Ben is clearly depicted as a tortured hero, as opposed to Elijah.

In the present...