Frontier Neighborly Friendship

Little House on the Prairie

This emotional thread follows the friendship between the Ingalls family and their neighbors, especially Mr Edwards and the Scotts.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Mr Edwards Appears at the Creek

Mr Edwards Appears at the Creek Scene Pa comes home singing and tells Ma they have a neighbor three kilometers away. Mr Edwards arrives the next morning, polite and quick, and helps Pa finish the walls in one day. Meaning The sudden appearance of Mr Edwards changes the family from isolated settlers to members of a community. His help is a gift no money could replace. Aftermath Mr Edwards stays for supper, and the two men laugh and sing as the moonlight comes up.

Dancing in the Moonlight Dancing in the Moonlight from "Little House on the Prairie". Dancing in the Moonlight Scene After supper, Pa plays his fiddle while Mr Edwards dances wildly outside the house.

Dancing in the Moonlight from "Little House on the Prairie". Dancing in the Moonlight Scene After supper, Pa plays his fiddle while Mr Edwards dances wildly outside the house.

Dancing in the Moonlight Scene After supper, Pa plays his fiddle while Mr Edwards dances wildly outside the house. Laura and Mary clap, and Baby Carrie laughs in Ma's arms. Meaning The celebration creates a memory of communal joy. The neighbor becomes family in the prairie night. Aftermath Mr Edwards walks home singing, and the quiet returns, but the friendship is firmly planted.

Mrs Scott Brings Soup and Care

Mrs Scott Brings Soup and Care Scene Mrs Scott appears at the sickbed with broth and water, then stays until the Ingalls family can care for themselves. She has been nursing all the sick settlers along the creek. Meaning The friendship between women is expressed through physical care. Mrs Scott gives without waiting for thanks. Aftermath Ma tries to thank her, and Mrs Scott replies that neighbors are there to help each other.

The Men Debate the Fire The Men Debate the Fire from "Little House on the Prairie". The Men Debate the Fire Scene Mr Scott and Mr Edwards sit by Pa's fire and share their fear that Indians started the prairie fire.

The Men Debate the Fire from "Little House on the Prairie". The Men Debate the Fire Scene Mr Scott and Mr Edwards sit by Pa's fire and share their fear that Indians started the prairie fire.

The Men Debate the Fire Scene Mr Scott and Mr Edwards sit by Pa's fire and share their fear that Indians started the prairie fire. Pa argues against the idea, and the discussion binds the men in a common concern. Meaning The debate is a form of friendship, honest and open. Neighbors can disagree without breaking the bond. Aftermath The men part with worried faces, and each family prepares for the nights of war-cries.

Goodbye at the Wagon Goodbye at the Wagon from "Little House on the Prairie". Goodbye at the Wagon Scene Mr Edwards shakes hands with Pa, Ma, and the girls, thanking them for their kindness.

Goodbye at the Wagon from "Little House on the Prairie". Goodbye at the Wagon Scene Mr Edwards shakes hands with Pa, Ma, and the girls, thanking them for their kindness.

Goodbye at the Wagon Scene Mr Edwards shakes hands with Pa, Ma, and the girls, thanking them for their kindness. Laura forgets her manners and reminds him of Christmas, and his eyes shine bright before he walks away. Meaning The goodbye makes the friendship permanent in memory. Laura's outburst speaks for the whole family's love of the unexpected neighbor. Aftermath The night before departure is quiet, and the little house seems emptier as the friends disappear into the dark.

while Pa is hauling logs

the night the walls are finished

during the malaria outbreak

the night after the prairie fire

when the Ingalls family decides to leave