² The novel begins with a speech introducing the regional Hoosier dialect used by all the "locals" in the book. It also introduces the adversity the schoolmaster will face in establishing himself with his students. Clearly, brawn is valued over brains, and the speaker, who is a trustee of the school, appears to see nothing wrong with the situation.
   We also see how irregular schooling is in these areas of the country at the time. Finding and keeping a schoolmaster is clearly a problem, and when one can be found, the students only attend when they're not needed on the farm.