Chapter 3 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 3, authored by Rose Wilder Lane, attempts to conclude the biographical and autobiographical narrative established in the move related during Chapter 2. The Wilder and Cooley families arrive in Mansfield without incident and live out of their wagons while arrangements are made. The wagons are located close to woods and Lane, Paul, and George, find the woods intriguing and exceptionally fun-filled. Lane spends a considerable amount of time considering the experience of being a child in the woods. During this time, Almanzo worked with various land agents to locate a suitable farm that could be purchased with a one hundred dollar down payment.

Finally a suitable property is located and Almanzo and Wilder dress in their best clothing before visiting the land agent office and closing on the purchase. Their final act is to retrieve the one hundred dollar bill from the...