Ch. 7: Pine Billy

In my opinion, the author's intent is to make the reader aware of the importance of tradition. In Chapter Seven, Little Tree learns the laborious, traditional ways of farming and feels proud helping plow the land. Granma is wise about plants and teaches Little Tree about their medicinal uses. By teaching these skills, the grandparents are showing Little Tree how to become self sufficient off the land. Pine Billy is one of the many colorful characters in their lives. From a child's perspective, Little Tree sees him as wise and successful, though of course his get-rich-quick schemes are nonsense. But the fact that Granma and Granpa consider him a friend is enough for Little Tree to recognize him as kinfolk. Granpa especially loves hearing him play the fiddle, which has relevance later in the story.

The author's intent in Chapter Seven appears to emphasize the value of tradition and self-sufficiency. Through Little Tree’s experiences with farming and learning about medicinal plants, the narrative highlights how important these traditional skills are for personal growth and independence. Granma and Granpa’s teachings are central to Little Tree’s development and connection to the land. Pine Billy’s character, while seen through a child's lens as a bit of a charlatan, is nonetheless a part of the broader community, illustrating how different figures contribute to Little Tree’s understanding of family and friendship. Granpa’s enjoyment of Pine Billy’s fiddle playing adds a personal touch that ties into the story’s broader themes.