Skylark

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

Anna is the Witting family’s eldest child and the novel’s narrator. She is a thoughtful and observant young girl on the cusp of adolescence. Her narration and journal entries chronicle her family’s physical and emotional journey through loss and hardship. As she transitions from childhood innocence into a deeper awareness of the world around her, Anna embodies quiet strength, acting as a bridge between the contrasting worlds of children and adults. Her introspective narration reveals her deep connection to both people and places. She notices subtle shifts in her family’s emotions, taking note of Sarah’s unspoken longing for a baby and her father’s quiet determination to preserve their life on the prairie. Anna’s journal writing becomes crucial to her self-expression, allowing her to process her emotions and maintain a sense of identity during uncertain times.

Anna’s relationship with her younger brother, Caleb, is characterized by tenderness and her sense of responsibility. She reassures him during difficult moments, protecting him and interpreting adult emotions in ways he can understand. Her patience and understanding make her a nurturing figure in Caleb’s life. Having lost her own mother at a young age, Anna took on a motherly role for Caleb.