Under the Lion's Paw by Hamlin Garland
"Under the Lion's Paw" by Hamlin Garland is a poignant tale centered around the struggles of a farmer named Haskins, who faces adversity after being driven from his original farm due to a series of unfortunate events, including a devastating grasshopper plague. Seeking refuge, Haskins and his family arrive at the farm of Stephen Council, who, upon hearing their plight, encourages them to consider renting a nearby, dilapidated farm owned by Jim Butler. While Haskins works tirelessly to improve the farm and is initially optimistic about his prospects, he ultimately confronts the harsh reality of Butler's unscrupulous business practices. After investing significant labor and resources into the farm, Haskins learns that Butler has dramatically increased the selling price, exploiting the improvements he made. This betrayal leads Haskins to a moment of intense conflict, as he grapples with feelings of rage and hopelessness. The story highlights themes of exploitation, resilience, and the moral dilemmas faced by those struggling against oppressive systems. Garland's narrative is a reflection of the social and economic challenges faced by farmers during the late 19th century in the United States, emphasizing the often harsh realities of rural life.
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Under the Lion's Paw by Hamlin Garland
First published: 1891
Type of plot: Regional, realism
Time of work: The late 1800's
Locale: Cedar County, in a midwestern state (probably Wisconsin)
Principal Characters:
Tim Haskins , a displaced farmerStephen Council , a good-hearted farmerJim Butler , a land speculator
The Story
Tim Haskins, with wife and children, have been driven from their farm by bad luck and a scourge of grasshoppers. On their way to an undetermined destination, they reach Stephen Council's farm and ask to rest there before continuing their journey. Council and his wife not only give them food and a place to rest but also, after hearing Haskins's story, persuade him to consider settling on a nearby vacated farm.
The farm is owned by Jim Butler, who acquired it along with several other farms through legal but ethically questionable mortgage foreclosures. Council, apparently unaware of Butler's methods of land speculation, assumes Butler is an honorable businessperson who will give Haskins a good deal. He introduces them, and they soon agree that Haskins can rent the place. Because it is quite dilapidated, Butler sets the rent and the selling price quite low, commensurate with the farm's poor condition (and to some extent clearly within Haskins's ability to pay). Though Haskins can barely afford to make such a commitment, he agrees to rent for three years with an option to either renew the lease or buy the farm at the end of the three-year period.
For three years, Haskins, with his wife and children, works the farm. Council and some of the other farmers in the area lend him tools and seed, and with backbreaking toil, the Haskins family brings about a metamorphosis in the place. They make all kinds of improvements: new fencing, a garden, a pigpen, a new well, and kitchen renovations. Along with the physical improvements, Haskins also manages to produce a fine crop of wheat. Things are going so well that he believes he can afford to purchase the farm.
Butler comes to see Haskins at the farm and is impressed and pleased with the many improvements. When Haskins says he thinks he can afford to buy the farm, Butler tells him that the purchase price is now twice the amount he cited when Haskins first rented the property. He justifies the huge increase by pointing to the improvements.
Haskins is stunned. He argues that the price increase is unreasonable because all the improvements were made at his expense, in terms of both money and labor. However, Butler is unmoved because he knows that if Haskins will not purchase or rent the property, someone else will. Either way, he will profit handily.
Haskins is enraged by the unfairness and injustice of the predicament and grabs up a pitchfork with the intention of killing Butler. He declares that no one else will be robbed by the unscrupulous thief and liar. However, before he can commit the act, he catches sight of his baby daughter toddling across the yard and realizes what he stands to lose in killing Butler. Resigned, he agrees to buy the farm and orders Butler off his land, threatening to kill him if he ever sets foot on it again.