Chapter 22

The last chapter is an appropriate ending to the book as it shows how the Brende family is able to find a place where they were they can minimize and adapt the amount of technology to their needs. They stay strong to their beliefs despite the community’s affinity for motorized and metallic things. In addition, I think it’s great they still used many of the laborsaving techniques they have learned from the Minimites, having to work about 3 hours a day for their livelihood. Nevertheless, I think the area will become more and more modernized, since supermarkets, bridge constructions and restaurants are all things that people in the community want. This might make it harder for the Brendes to maintain their simplistic way of living, and increase their need for technology. For example, with the supermarket now outside walking distance, they will need the car to get to do their shopping.
Having great role models in their parents, the children read a lot of books, and are very creative and helpful around the house. However, one thing that worries me, is that by living this different and aheltered lifestyle, an being homeschooled, they seem to miss out on a lot of social interaction and woder how that is going to affect them in the future.

Chapter 21

The fact that Mary is allergic to horses gives the two a reason to reconsider their stay, and it seems that Eric is the one that feels that he might not meet some of the requirements of the community. I am glad they've experienced their curiosity and now return to civilization to hopefully live a more fulfilling life. The decision to leave is an emotional one as they have learned a lot of lessons and have formed a lot of friendships throughout their time here. Most importantly, Eric found the answer to his question of how much technology is really needed: no more than what the Minimites were using. Overall it was a great learning experience and I hope they get to apply some of their findings in the modern world.

Chapter 20

Now the two are finally considering giving up the car in order to fully experience the Minimite lifestyle. Given that this represented their last thread of technology use, it was huge. Not being really sure when or how to go about that, it all worked out well since the license was out of order and they didn’t have insurance. They were able to sell it and with that money bought a horse and buggy. I understand that this was the whole purpose, but I think that limits them greatly, now they have no choice but to really spend their entire time in the community, without random escapades. Stripping their last technological resource, this may really mean they have decided to live here permanently. They are even signing papers to buy a farm, and with Wilbur being elected, things seem to fall into place. At the same time we see that not everyone is cut out for this lifestyle, with Bill returning to his old ways in the city.

Chapter 19

In this chapter I hope that Eric can he handle prioritizing and multitasking all the house chores. Maybe a little more technology would help give them a little more time to enjoy being a family and ease their responsibilities. I wonder if this would make them change their minds about using technology, especially since it looks like they are going to have more children in the future. With increased responsibilities from the new baby, Eric and Mary are having a hard time dividing the workload. Since Eric is the husband, it seems only normal that he would end up with the tasks more physical in nature, while Mary would take the easier ones around the household. I found a little contradicting the idea that Eric doesn’t mind driving a little more when he finds out that this puts the baby to sleep (and this is not even a main purpose of the technology they are trying so hard to escape).

Chapter 18

The helpfulness of the Millers is exhibited again through the lending of the horse in the beginning of the chapter. Eric is finally starting to come out of his funk, possibly because he is sensing the new birth about to take place. I believe they took a pretty high risk in choosing to give birth in the house, not in a hospital setting, where both the mother’s and the baby’s health could be constantly monitored. It doesn't even seem that they were agaist it, rather they didn't really have a choice since they didn't have insurance anymore. Happily everything turned out well, despite the feelings of despair that both Mary and Eric went through, with the irregularity of contractions and Eric’s car breaking down on his way to get the nurse. Funny how after all the physical endurance tests he has been trough lately, this birth was Eric's toughest test. The continued support from the Millers during and after the birth of little Hans is undeniable.

Chapter 17

In this chapter Eric seems to be fighting the winter blues. First he almost feels the need to justify himself in front of the wealthy man that bought a jar of molasses, feeling that he might have been perceived as a poor, lonesome “Amish”. Is it possible that he may be a little embarrassed of his current state? He also feels inappropriate around Sylvan, the one that has helped him a lot so far, being worried that the men might dislike him, considering him to be a freeholder, and possibly trying to make some money off of him. Then Mary gets upset at him for leaving the meat outside where the dog could steal it, despite her warnings.

Although irrelevant, I thought it was kind of funny how they couldn’t distinguish the chicken from the pork jars. It reminded me of Jessica Simpson’s famous line: “Is this chicken or fish?” The struggle with the chicken and smaller pot demoralized both Eric and Mary.

Having unsuccessfully tried to shake his blues by inviting himself for a game of bridge over at some acquaintances', towards the end of the chapter Eric is able to find a source of joy in sharing work with one of the Miller’s younger sons, Caleb. Maybe the slow pace of the season's activities is what caused his depression in the first place.

Chapter 16

Now that the summer and threshing season is coming to an end, the more relaxed activities of fall and winter begin to take place. Although Eric was worried that the pumpkins would ripen ahead of time and get bad before he has a chance to sell them, with a little haste in picking and storing them, he is able to make a nice profit. It is good to see that their efforts paid off and the goal of earning a living by the labor of their own hands is further achieved through the sorghum crop.

The slower winter season activities that include preparing meat and cutting cedars give everyone a chance to relax and unwind. This also gives Eric a little more time to spend with his wife that is getting ready to have a baby. The Lamaze exercises they do together makes their bond even stronger.