2.  Born September 26, 1949 in Missouri.  She is an American novelist and essayist.  Well known for her novel A Thousand Acres, which won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1992.  She was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2001.  In 2006, she received the Pen USA Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature.  Main topics to write about dealt with politics, farming, horse training, child-rearing, literature, and marriage.  Smiley’s writing is influenced by Sherlock Holmes, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and Ole Rolvaag.

3.  A time period for economic growth as Bill Clinton took office in 1993.  The 90’s is known for its economic boom as the raising of taxes allowed the economy to lower the unemployment and inflation rates.  Stock markets took a gain during this time period as profits rapidly grew.  In 1991, the World Wide Web was finally available to the public.

4.  Setting: Farm land in Iowa  Brief summary: Begins with the joint ownership that Larry gives to his three daughters, Ginny, Rose, and Caroline. As soon as Caroline refuses to have ownership, Larry becomes furious and basically bans her out of his life. This sets off the dark truths behind what was once a well working family. The revelation of the sexual abuse committed by Larry towards his two eldest daughters leads to more disaster.

5.  Violence against women: Ginny and Rose were beat and sexually abused by their father Larry. The mother did nothing to help because of the status he held.  Jealousy: Larry is obsessed with the need to outshine his neighbor Harold Clark. Rose and Ginny are jealous of Caroline for having the courage to get out of the farm life and her accomplishments.  Revelation: Larry's hidden abuse and status within the community reveal the outline of the American heartland.  Betrayal: Caroline refused the offer of having a part of the thousand acres. Infidelity of Ginny and Rose with Jess.  Reconciliation: In order to secure a future for her kids, Rose gave her kids to Ginny because she was dying from cancer.

6.  Ginny and Rose: Never left the farm, stayed to take care of Larry and their husband. Sexually abused by their father.  Caroline: Youngest daughter. Lives in the city and her career is a lawyer. Never realized that her sisters was the reason for her accomplishments.  Larry: Father of Ginny, Rose, and Caroline. Was never a father figure to his children and his decisions left him in ruins.

7.  Ty Smith: Husband of Ginny. Larry takes a liking towards him because he is a good farmer. He never gives his time to Ginny because he is only concerned about the farm.  Pete Lewis: Husband of Rose. Does not know much about farming which leads to Larry not liking him. He has an abusive behavior.  Jess Clark: Son of Harold Clark. Becomes the love interest to Ginny and Rose, but has nothing to offer besides good looks.

8.  The thousand acres: represents power and the challenges brought upon the Cook family. It revealed the dark truths of the past.  Poisonous plant: represents betrayal and jealousy. Ginny devised a plan to murder her sister Rose.  New cabinets: represent Larry’s obsession with wanting to outshine his neighbor Harold Clark. His jealousy took over him and he became insane.

9.  Ginny & Rose vs. Caroline: being envious of Caroline for being able to venture out of the “farm life” to pursue her own dreams. “…the knowledge that she would live a life that each of us had thought about with some longing”  Ginny vs. Rose: Ginny becomes envious and devises a plan to murder her sister. “The perfection of my plan was the way Rose’s own appetite would select her death.” Ginny was jealous that Rose was able to easily conceive a child. “Linda was just born when I had my first miscarriage...I was so jealous every time I saw them”  Ginny & Rose vs. Larry: Ginny and Rose share the appalling yet permanent memory of their father forcing sex upon them at a very young age.