Wolves and the Wilderness Threat

This conflict flow follows the wolves as both real animals and symbols of the frontier's dangers, from the first howls to the moonlit siege of the cabin.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Wolf Howls After Jack Is Lost

Wolf Howls After Jack Is Lost Scene Supper is interrupted by a long, frightening cry from the dark prairie. Pa says wolves are near, and Laura feels like crying because Jack is not there. Meaning The howl introduces the wildness of the prairie as a constant presence. It is the first sound that reminds the family how unprotected they are. Aftermath The wolf cry ends, but the fear of the dark remains until Jack reappears.

The Wolf Pack Escort

The Wolf Pack Escort Scene Fifty of the biggest wolves Pa has ever seen surround him on the prairie. He forces Patty to walk instead of run, and the wolves trot alongside like dogs until they reach the creek. Meaning The pack demonstrates how a panicked response can be fatal. Pa's self-control in the face of the wild turns certain attack into survival. Aftermath Pa reaches home shaking and tells the family the story while the wolves drift away into the evening.

The Moonlit Circle at the Window

The Moonlit Circle at the Window Scene Laura wakes to hear a wolf howl right in her ear. Pa lifts her to the window, and she sees a half circle of wolves sitting in the moonlight, their eyes shining green and the leader taller than she is. Meaning The wolves surround the cabin like a living wall, turning the house into a fortress. Laura's fear becomes awe at the animal power outside. Aftermath Pa promises that he and Jack will take care of everyone, and Laura goes back to bed with the howls still ringing in her ears.

Pa Builds a Solid Door

Pa Builds a Solid Door Scene With the wolves gone, Pa decides to build a real board door instead of a quilt hanging over the doorway. He and Laura cut and fasten the boards together. Meaning The door is a direct response to the wolf threat, a barrier between the family and the wilderness. Laura's help makes her part of the defense. Aftermath Pa declares the family safe, and Laura feels the satisfaction of a finished, strong house.

Wolves Remain in the Background

Wolves Remain in the Background Scene Wolf cries continue to sound across the prairie at night, but the family no longer feels helpless. Jack growls, Pa checks his gun, and the little house holds its ground. Meaning The wolves become part of the background music of frontier life rather than a direct threat. They are a measure of how much the family has adapted. Aftermath When the Indians depart and the settlers pack their wagon, the wolf howls remain, a reminder of what will still be wild in the country.

the first night on the prairie

late afternoon, when Pa rides home from the Scott claim

that night, while Pa stands guard

the next morning, after the pack leaves

through the rest of the Ingalls year on the prairie