Themes

The main theme of “Oregon Journal” by Vittwia Mickelson is traveling as an important part of American life and the American psyche. A secondary theme in the text is sacrifice.

Traveling

Through her text, Vittwia’s intention is to show how traveling was an important part of her life as an American and how the Oregon Trail shaped her life.

For you to better understand this theme, we recommend you focus on the meaning of the term “the Oregon Trail”. This name is given to a migration of pioneers from the east and center of the United States towards the west, starting from Missouri and ending in Oregon and California. The settlers traveled in farm wagons filled with the necessary resources, but the long road was still dangerous, especially because of the presence of Native Americans, whom the settlers feared. Once they arrived in Oregon and California, the settlers built their farms and started new lives.

As you have seen, Vittwia’s life is strongly connected to the Oregon Trail and to traveling. She has been traveling since she was very young,...

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Sacrifice

This theme is illustrated by Vittwia’s dedication to her brother and by her lack of ability to focus on a possible romantic affair. As her brother Henry was “a frail and sickly child” (p. 118, l. 42), he grew up to be a frail man with precarious health. When she describes her experience as a hotel cashier,...

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