Sarah, Plain and Tall

Set in the late 19th century, the film Sarah, Plain and Tall takes place in 1910 in a rural area of Kansas. Widowed farmer Jacob Witting resides on a farm with his two children, Anna and Caleb. Jacob's life is now a solitary one, filled with the responsibilities of farming and raising his family on his own. He has managed to keep the farm running, but it has become increasingly difficult to maintain the household and care for the children. In an effort to find a suitable partner to assist in the care of the children and share the farm's responsibilities, Jacob decides to place an advertisement in a newspaper seeking a mail-order bride. The description of his desired wife calls for someone who is "plain and tall." He hopes to find someone who is down-to-earth and can help to make his home life more stable. Months pass, and Jacob receives several responses to the advertisement. However, none of the women seem suitable for the family. Their responses, including those from a woman named Sarah, showcase qualities such as beauty, but also seem to display an excessive desire for material wealth and luxury. Jacob is disheartened by the lack of suitable candidates and begins to lose hope. That is when he receives a response from Sarah Wheaton from Maine. Her letter, written in simple yet elegant prose, captures Jacob's heart. Amongst numerous letters, hers stood out. Jacob finds Sarah's description, along with her letters expressing her deep love of nature, her simple life, and her willingness to relocate, to be especially captivating. Intrigued, Jacob invites Sarah to visit the farm in an effort to get to know her better. Sarah agrees and sets out on an arduous journey from Maine to Kansas. The trip takes several days and includes her traveling by train and then by horse-drawn carriage to reach Jacob's farm. The scenery along the way is breathtaking, and Sarah marvels at the stark differences between the rugged landscape of Maine and the rolling hills of the American Midwest. Upon her arrival, Sarah is met with warmth by Jacob and the children. The first impression of Sarah is that of a woman who is genuine, intelligent, and down-to-earth. Jacob and Sarah engage in conversations about their lives, the farm, and their expectations for their future together. Jacob is struck by Sarah's poise, kindness, and her infectious optimism. As Sarah spends more time with the family, she forms a strong bond with the children. Anna and Caleb are initially hesitant about accepting this new figure into their lives, but over time, they come to admire Sarah's nurturing nature and her love of storytelling. However, despite the growth in relationships, Sarah finds herself struggling with her decision to stay with Jacob. She feels a deep sense of homesickness, and the vast, open spaces of the Kansas prairie evoke feelings of loneliness. Jacob recognizes her homesickness and encourages Sarah to express her true feelings and fears about their potential life together. As Sarah grapples with her emotions, the truth of her situation begins to sink in. She has left behind her family, her friends, and a familiar way of life. The uncertainty of her new circumstances weighs heavily on her. The stark contrast between the beauty of the prairie landscape and her longing for the mountains and coastlines of Maine creates a sense of disconnection. The climax of the story revolves around Sarah's internal conflict as she struggles to come to terms with her feelings. She must consider whether her commitment to Jacob and the children is strong enough to outweigh her deep desire to return to Maine. Jacob, sensing her turmoil, shares a heartfelt conversation with Sarah, emphasizing the love and acceptance they have developed as a family. Ultimately, Sarah makes a heart-wrenching decision that will have far-reaching consequences for all parties involved. Despite her love for the family, her longing for her home and the emotional stability of Maine prove too great to overcome. In the end, Sarah makes the difficult choice to return to Maine. Though the pain of losing Sarah is deeply felt, Jacob and the children come to understand and respect her decision, grateful for the time she spent with them. In the end, Jacob learns a valuable lesson about love, loss, and personal growth. The story concludes on a hopeful note, as he comes to see that though the perfect union did not work out, the experience with Sarah helped him find his footing as a farmer and a father. Jacob's journey, like Sarah's, shows that life is unpredictable and filled with uncertainties but that love, resilience, and acceptance are the keys to navigating life's challenges.