Family and Home

Through the novel, Miri takes a long journey toward discovering what she wants and what will make her happy. It is clear from the very beginning that she loves her family very much and vice versa, but Miri's misperceptions about her role in the community make her feel like she is a burden on her father and sister. She equates her worth to her ability to work in the mine and contribute to the household. Being unable to do so leaves her feeling self-conscious and guilty. She has such high hopes for the traders to come so she can impress Pa and Marda, proving her worth and her role in contributing to the family. When the traders collectively underprice the linder Miri's chance at impressing is gone and she is left feeling more inept than ever. She never doubts that Pa and Marda love her, she...