The Great Alone: Chapter 17 Summary & Analysis

The morning after Ernt beats Cora, Leni comes downstairs to see her mother’s bruised face. Cora again tells Leni to stay away from Matthew before something even worse happens. That night, Leni debates whether she should meet Matthew outside. At midnight, she hears Matthew’s birdcall and decides to go meet him. Together, they go to the beach where Matthew has laid out a blanket. They spend time looking at the stars and holding hands, enjoying one another’s company despite the shadow of Ernt’s rage hanging over them. Matthew again tells Leni that it is not too late to go to college with him, an offer she takes seriously this time. After, the two briefly kiss, but are interrupted by the sound of Ernt calling Leni’s name. Luckily, Leni is able to run back and make up an excuse for why she wasn’t home.

Over the next few days, Leni composes a personal statement for college. She writes about her love of reading, her father’s doomsday prepping, and her life in Alaska. During this time, Leni and Matthew arrange secret meetings with one another. Things are going well until one day, while on a school field trip, Ms. Rhodes tells everyone that they need to return home because Earl has died. Leni is not saddened by the news of Earl’s death, but she does empathize with the Harlans.

All of Kaneq attends Earl’s funeral. After the service, Tom offers to throw a party in Earl’s honor at his place. Before the Harlans can respond, Ernt begins berating Tom, saying, “The last thing he’d want us to do is celebrate by drinking with the man who wants to turn Kaneq into Los Angeles.” Ernt’s outburst makes Thelma lose her temper and she rips into him for his attempts to divide the community. She tells Ernt that she won’t put up with him now that Earl is dead, and that she would be happy to celebrate with Tom. She invites Cora and Leni to come with her, but Ernt does not allow them to go.

When they arrive home, Leni and Cora wait for Ernt to explode. Leni suggests locking him out of the house or running away, but Cora quickly dismisses both options. Ernt stays outside, but neither Leni nor Cora dares to risk checking on him. Eventually he comes inside and drags Cora outdoors, Leni following closely behind. At the edge of the property, Ernt shows Cora that he’s begun making a barricade that will eventually cut off the Allbrights from everyone else. Leni feels more trapped than ever before and worries that she will end up as her father’s prisoner.