The Teacher's Funeral

In these final chapters, Russell grows in self-understanding. He makes a mature decision that impacts his future and his relationship with his family. Russell has come of age. Russell wrestles with his feelings about Tansy. Although she has become “intolerable” (161), and even his father knows Russell wants Tansy off their hands, Russell does not want her to marry Eugene. He would prefer she marry good-hearted Charlie. Russell’s conflict reveals his unspoken love for Tansy and a desire to keep her in the community of people he has known and valued his whole life. Despite being able to dispatch a hog, Eugene is still a city boy, and an outsider.

Russell shows that, deep-down, he values his country upbringing and the close bonds it creates. Aunt Maud, the Sweet Singer, echoes this sentiment in her final poem: “The city never drew me, / For I knew I could not love it” (188). The city’s technological wonders do not compare to the natural beauty, friends, and family of “home” (188). Russell believes that city folk are “ignorant” of practical knowledge (159). Peck emphasizes both the worth of the rural lifestyle and the unique intelligence it confers. At the end of The Teacher’s Funeral, Peck dedicates the book to his mother, who started first grade in a one-room schoolhouse in 1912, and to his father, who met his prospective in-laws on butchering day. Peck appreciates the values instilled by a country lifestyle and a bygone era.

Russell’s feelings towards Tansy change. He finally admits that Tansy is a good teacher and wants to support her efforts. When Tansy discloses that she became a teacher to improve Russell and help him become someone Lloyd would look up to, Russell realizes that he needs to grow up and take responsibility for his actions. He must continue his education and become a role model for Lloyd. This decision shows Russell’s maturation. His motivation stems from love for his family.

Tansy progresses further into adulthood. Her reasoning for becoming a teacher shows foresight and indicates that she prioritizes family. She picks up on Russell’s itch for independence, and knows that without education, neither he nor Lloyd will have a successful life. She makes an adult decision to support her brothers and prepare them for the future. The fact that she rejects Eugene’s suit, which seemed iron-clad, shows that Tansy also values her rural Hoosier community. Tansy continues to teach, devoting herself to her students, even rejecting an offer to take a teaching course. She prepares her students with the knowledge to equip them in the 20th century. Thanks to Tansy’s tough-love encouragement, Russell’s education gets him and Lloyd to “the topless towers of Indianapolis,” where they find their fortunes and their futures (189). 

These final chapters of The Teacher’s Funeral introduce more references to history and unique old-fashioned items. A windowpane suit, like the fancy one Eugene wears when he brings the Victrola, is a suit that has a wide, checked pattern made with slim lines. The plaid is so large that it looks like windowpanes. Aunt Fanny Hamline donates the American flag that her husband carried in the American Civil War Battle of “Chicamauga,” or Chickamauga. The battle took place in 1863 and marked a serious defeat for the Union forces, including the Eighteenth Indiana Light Artillery that Mr. Hamline served with. Aunt Fanny points out three holes where Rebel minié balls punctured the flag.

The minié was a relatively new kind of bullet at the time of the Civil War, designed for long guns with rifled, or grooved barrels. Grooving increases a rifle’s accuracy and range. The minié bullet was small enough to easily put down the barrel of the weapon. It also did more damage to people when it struck them. Tansy appreciates the sentiment and the history of sacrifice behind the flag, telling Aunt Fanny that it is “better than a new one” (173). Finally, the “The Hoosier’s Nest,” the “first truly Indiana poetic masterpiece” that Tansy quotes from during her examination (176), is in fact a famous poem by real-life Indiana poet, John Finley. Finley is credited with being the first author to use “Hoosier” in a literary work and his poem popularized the word as a nickname for Indianans.