A Lantern in Her Hand

Abbie Deal is the protagonist of A Lantern in Her Hand. She is a hero characterized by self-sacrifice and gives herself up to the American Dream. Abbie is a complex character whose interiority characterizes her as artistic, deeply loving, and compassionate.

Abbie is first introduced through her family legacy. Her background is important because her family establishes the two conflicting influences that shape her worldview as a child. Abbie has “the stout body of the O’Conners and the slender hands of the Mackenzies” (24), representing that she embodies both aristocratic and peasant immigrant qualities. These dueling parts enable Abbie to commit to hard work while maintaining her dreams in her heart. Without her dreams of becoming an artist, Abbie would find the manual labor of her life too demeaning. Without the manual labor of her life, Abbie would find a life devoted to pleasure too frivolous. As she grows, she leaves her dreams of becoming an aristocratic lady behind, devoting herself to The Pioneer Spirit that lets her survive the long, hard years in Nebraska.

Abbie is characterized by the symbol of the lantern. Abbie carries the lantern, making her a guide for herself and others.