The Great Alone

by

Kristin Hannah

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Great Alone makes teaching easy.

Thelma Schill Character Analysis

Thelma Schill is the daughter of Earl Harlan and the sister of Bo and Clyde Harlan. She greets the Allbrights warmly and offers to help Cora in whatever way she can. When Ernt and Earl come up with disturbing and dangerous plans, Thelma is the only person to speak up against them. After Earl dies, Thelma tells Ernt that he is no longer welcome on their property.
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Thelma Schill Character Timeline in The Great Alone

The timeline below shows where the character Thelma Schill appears in The Great Alone. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4
Family and Community Theme Icon
...conversation with Earl, the Allbrights are introduced to the rest of the Harlan family, including Thelma Schill, who greets them kindly. When talking to Thelma, Leni discovers there is actually a... (full context)
Chapter 5
Family and Community Theme Icon
Coming of Age Theme Icon
...her father and to use a Winnie the Pooh lunch box gifted to her by Thelma. Ernt drives Leni to school, although she asks him to drop her off where they... (full context)
Chapter 7
Trauma and Violence Theme Icon
Paranoia and the Vietnam War Theme Icon
Family and Community Theme Icon
...and Leni are alarmed, but they keep quiet so as not to anger Ernt. However, Thelma speaks up and tells the men not to worry everyone with their extreme rhetoric. The... (full context)
Chapter 9
Trauma and Violence Theme Icon
Family and Community Theme Icon
Death and Grief Theme Icon
...heavily and that Ernt is jealous when he sees Cora console Tom Walker. Cora and Thelma tell the men to have some respect on the day of a funeral, to no... (full context)
Chapter 13
Family and Community Theme Icon
...like the continental United States, which is exactly what he moved there to escape. Although Thelma, Leni, and Cora think he is overreacting, the Harlan men all rally around Ernt. Thelma... (full context)
Chapter 15
Trauma and Violence Theme Icon
Paranoia and the Vietnam War Theme Icon
Family and Community Theme Icon
...take his land. However, despite Earl’s support, this idea is one step too far for Thelma. She tells Ernt and Earl that they are crazy and will more likely kill one... (full context)
Chapter 17
Family and Community Theme Icon
Death and Grief Theme Icon
...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.... (full context)
Chapter 18
Family and Community Theme Icon
...Leni that she is going to college no matter what; Tom will pay her tuition, Thelma will give her spending money, and Marge and Ms. Rhodes will purchase her books. (full context)