The novel opens with the birth of Eris on the Odell farm, marked by her father Elmer’s deep disappointment at having a daughter instead of the sons he desired. Her mother Fanny dies after a difficult childbirth, turning Eris into a living reminder of loss and discord. Elmer’s emotional distance and fixation on farm labor shape a harsh household atmosphere. Growing up in isolation, Eris develops curiosity and longing through books and imagination. This part establishes her identity as a child born into conflict and her quiet desire to escape her confines.
