O Pioneers!
Study guide for Hallmark Video
Directions: Complete answers in at least two full sentences.
Winter of 1883. Alexandra is 19.
1. When and where does the story begin?
2. Where does a flashback take the audience to and when?
3. Why does Carl teach himself to climb tall poles?
4. Why is Alexandra concerned about her father’s health?
5. Describe young Marie in the general store.
6. Who is Emil? What has gotten away from Emil?
7. What type of home do the homesteading Bergsons live in, in 1883?
8. What important promise must young Alexandra make her ill father?
9. What does John Bergson make Alexandra promise? (3 things)
10. What is Carl’s talent, besides climbing poles?
Summer of 1885. Alexandra is 21.
11. Who is Ivar? When we first meet him, what are some of the first words out of his
mouth?
12. Carl Linstrum’s family packs up and abandons their farm. Where does Carl go?
13. How is Carl like the seagull on Ivar’s land?
14. What decision does Alexandra make after make a trip to the “river country?”
Summer 1899. Alexandra is 35 years old.
15. Who returns in a red dress once again? Describe her.
16. Who has Marie married? What clues do you have about that marriage?
17. Characterize the relationship between 21 year old Emil and 21 year old Marie.
18. When Marie playfully calls out, “Forgive me, Emil. . .,” what does Emil answer?
19. Observe the people at Alexandra’s dinner table. What does this indicate about her
farm?
20. Where is Carl planning to travel after visiting with Alexandra? Why is he going
there?
21. What are Alexandra’s brothers, Oscar and Lou, worried about? What motive do
they think Carl has for visiting?
22. “Wild thing—they are much too happy to kill.” When and why does Marie say
this?
23. Marie always seems to be wearing red. What does that color symbolize, and why
is it an appropriate color for Marie?
24. Why does Frank Shabata think people are laughing at him behind his back?
25. What does Frank mean when he tells Alexandra, “She hides what is in her heart.”
26. Who does Marie blame for the “good times” being over? Why?
27. Why does Emil decide to leave Nebraska? Where is he going?
28. Alexandra tells Carl that “people have to snatch happiness when they can.” How
does this relate to her and to anyone else in the story?