Gallaway presents a commentary on the long-term reliability of rural life and agriculture in a growing industrial world as well as how the elderly fit into this landscape.
Ehrhart offers insight into the views of gender expectations and the perpetuation thereof in early 20th century America across generations in their understanding of, expression of, and attentiveness to prescribed versus assumed responsibility.
The elements of home, familiarity, and comfort embodied by women and the way are portrayed as a consistent image that follows a woman throughout her lifetime into old age.