Compare and contrast A Lantern in Her Hand to another work of pioneer literature centering on women’s experiences, such as a novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder or Willa Cather. In what ways are they similar and different? Do their protagonists have the same values and learn the same life lessons as Abbie Deal?

Compare and contrast A Lantern in Her Hand to another work of pioneer literature centering on male characters’ experiences, such as The Deerslayer by James Fennimore Cooper. In what ways are they similar and different? Do their protagonists have the same values and learn the same life lessons as Abbie?

The novel portrays mothers as limitless sources of emotional and physical care to those around them. How is this idea complicated and/or supported by more contemporary views on motherhood?