Chapters 1-6

Education doesn't receive the highest marks in the first six chapters of the novel, which becomes evident in Miss Caroline's insistence that children learn the way she's been taught to teach them, or they have been taught wrong. This doesn't mean that Miss Caroline will not be a great teacher someday..... as long as she's willing to continue learning herself. College may have taught her how to teach, but it failed to teach her how to implement current theories and techniques as they apply to her students.

We also see that in many instances, education may be desired but impractical. Some of the students do not attend on a regular basis, having to help out at home or on the farm. These decisions were made on what was best for the family..... not the student. Familes had to survive, and everyone had to pitch in to insure the best economic outcome. For some parents this was a no win situation. They needed their children at home, but they also wanted their children to better their lives. In essence, helping on the farm or in the fields dictated the school year most of us still adhere to..... summers off.