Chapter 2 - Nebraska Summary and Analysis

The voyage through Nebraska lasts about two weeks. When near rivers, the traveling party frequently supplements their food by fishing—sometimes they catch fish and sometimes they don't. Wilder comments on the strange attraction large bodies of water—such as the Missouri River—have for nearly everyone. Across the river the party sees oak trees and a variety of wild fruit trees. Away from the river, however, Nebraska runs into repetitive bluffs and Wilder finds them desolate, monotonous, and unappealing. Almanzo finds Nebraska to be unappealing, too. The temperature climbs to 110º in the shade and the hot wind is persistent, blowing thick dust over everything. The party typically camps in a ravine or hollow between bluffs to escape some of the force of the wind. The towns in Nebraska are fairly close and the...