Character Development In the A Thousand Acres, book one is filled with many characters developing. Ginny’s narration gives us a clear view of each character through her perspective. She shows how situations can change a person. She’s the perfect daughter and housewife. She’s humble and obedient. She lets the need of others take priority of her own. While she takes care of Rose’s, her dad Larry’s, and her own households, she doesn’t see this as a problem. She sees it as a need for the survival of their family farm. "One of the many benefits of this private project, I thought at the time, was it showed me a whole secret world, a way to have two lives, to be two selves." (Smiley 26). This quote’s talking about when Ginny was trying to get pregnant without letting anyone know that she was trying again. This was one thing that she could control in her life. Everything else she did in her life was for her family. Her life before she met Ty, her husband, was controlled by her abusing dad Larry, and after she got married to Ty, it's controlled by him. He was always making her feel uncomfortable. This is the only thing in her life that’s fully under her control. This kind of gives her a feeling of power and being in control of her life. While Rose has children of her own, and Ginny doesn’t because of many miscarriages, both of them have a bond with each other and have motherly love for Rose’s children. Rose develops with the help of Ginny because they are connected with one another. She’s known for her ability to talk back to her dad Larry, and often stands up to him. “I guess you remember that Rose always offers her unvarnished opinion.” (Smiley 11). This quote was said by Jess after he came back to town. It shows that Rose isn’t afraid to say her honest opinion and is always open to everything. When Larry Cook, a proud and demanding farmer, unexpectedly wants to retire and give his precious land to Rose, Caroline, and Ginny, it stirs up a chaos within the family.
