Life in the American West was not easy. People faced dangerous journeys, harsh weather, illness, and many unexpected losses. Women often had to work harder than anyone else to keep their families safe. These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner tells the moving story of one such woman, Sarah Agnes Prine.
The novel These Is My Words follows Sarah through her diary entries from 1881 to 1901. Readers see her grow from a young girl into a strong woman who faces love, marriage, motherhood, and heartbreaking loss. Her story takes place in the Arizona Territory during the late 19th century, when life on the frontier required courage and hard work.
Book Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881–1901 |
| Author | Nancy E. Turner |
| Series | Sarah Agnes Prine Series (Book 1) |
| Genre | Historical Fiction, Western Fiction, Historical Romance |
| Original Publication Year | 1998 |
At first, Sarah has little formal education. She struggles with writing but dreams of learning more about the world. As she travels with her family, she faces dangers that change her life forever. She also meets people who influence her future, including Captain Jack Elliot and Jimmy Reed.
This is more than a simple Historical Fiction story. It explores Women’s Resilience, family responsibilities, education, personal growth, and the meaning of true love. Sarah’s diary makes her experiences feel personal because readers discover her thoughts and feelings through her own words.
If you are looking for a These Is My Words summary, this guide explains the story, its important characters, major events, and deeper themes. It is useful for students, book clubs, and readers who want to understand Sarah’s journey before or after reading the novel.
Quick Answer These Is My Words
These Is My Words is a historical novel by Nancy E. Turner about Sarah Agnes Prine, a young woman growing up in the American West between 1881 and 1901. Told through diary entries, the story follows her dangerous journey across the frontier, two marriages, motherhood, education, and relationship with Captain Jack Elliot. Its central ideas include courage, love, family, independence, and survival.
What Is These Is My Words About?
These Is My Words is about the life of Sarah Agnes Prine, a young woman who learns to survive and build her future in the challenging world of the American Frontier.
The story These Is My Words begins when Sarah travels with her family in a wagon train. They leave their earlier home and face the dangers of traveling through the western territories. The journey brings illness, violence, accidents, and painful family losses.
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Sarah is not an ordinary young woman for her time. She enjoys riding horses, hunting, reading, and learning new things. Although she has limited schooling, she wants to improve her knowledge. Her diary becomes an important part of her life because it allows her to record her experiences and understand her changing feelings.
During her journey, Sarah meets Captain Jack Elliot, a military officer who becomes an important person in her life. Their relationship develops slowly through different meetings and difficult experiences.
Sarah later marries Jimmy Reed and becomes a mother. However, her marriage does not bring the love and happiness she hoped for. After Jimmy’s death, she gets another chance at love with Jack.
The novel These Is My Words continues through many years of Sarah’s life. She experiences motherhood, military life, ranching, personal achievements, and deep family tragedies.
At its heart, the book shows how a woman can continue moving forward even when life does not follow her plans. Sarah’s story also highlights the Strength of Pioneer Women and their important role in building homes and communities in the West.
Background and Historical Setting of the Novel
The novel These Is My Words takes place between 1881 and 1901, a period when many families were trying to establish new lives in the western United States.
The American West was changing. Settlers traveled long distances in wagons, built homes, raised animals, and searched for better opportunities. However, these changes came with serious difficulties.
Life in the Arizona Territory
The Arizona Territory is one of the most important parts of the story These Is My Words. Sarah and her family travel through different areas before eventually settling near Tucson.
Frontier life demands many practical skills. Families must find food, care for animals, build shelters, and protect themselves from danger.
Sarah learns these skills through experience. She becomes comfortable with horses, hunting, and managing difficult household responsibilities.
The Importance of Ranching
Cattle Ranching and horse raising are important parts of the family’s life.
A ranch is not simply a place to live. It is also a source of income and independence. Sarah learns that maintaining a ranch requires patience, physical strength, and careful planning.
Her experiences show the difficult work behind successful Ranch Life in Arizona.
Military Service on the Frontier, These Is My Words
Military life also plays a major role in the novel through Captain Jack Elliot.
Jack’s work often takes him away from home. His responsibilities affect his relationship with Sarah and their children.
The story shows how military service can create emotional challenges for families. Sarah must manage the household while Jack carries out his duties.
A Story Inspired by Family History
Nancy E. Turner drew inspiration from her family’s oral history and genealogical research when creating the novel. The fictional Sarah Agnes Prine was inspired by the author’s great-grandmother.
However, the novel is a work of Historical Fiction, not a verified diary or a complete historical record. It combines historical atmosphere with an imagined personal story.
This background helps explain why Sarah’s experiences feel connected to the everyday struggles of frontier families.
How Is These Is My Words Written?
One of the most interesting features of the novel These Is My Words is its diary format.
Instead of using a traditional narrator, Nancy E. Turner presents the story through Sarah’s personal diary entries.
This choice allows readers to experience events through Sarah’s own understanding. They see what she notices, what she fears, and what makes her happy.
Sarah’s Diary as the Main Storytelling Method
The diary entries cover important events over approximately twenty years.
Readers follow Sarah as she grows older and gains more experience. Her writing also changes with her.
At the beginning, her grammar and spelling show her limited education. As she reads more books and learns from different people, her writing becomes clearer.
This change is important because it reflects her Self Education and personal development.
Why the Diary Format Matters
The diary format makes the story feel personal and honest.
Sarah does not always understand the people around her. Sometimes she makes mistakes or misunderstands situations. Readers learn about these events through her limited point of view.
This makes her character feel realistic.
The format also helps readers understand the emotional effects of difficult events. Instead of only describing what happened, Sarah records how those events affect her thoughts and decisions.
The Connection Between Writing and Personal Growth
Sarah’s diary is more than a record of daily events.
It becomes a place where she can express her hopes, questions, and feelings. Writing helps her understand herself and the world around her.
Her journey shows that education is not limited to a classroom. People can continue learning through books, experiences, relationships, and personal reflection.
This idea makes the diary an important symbol of Education and Self Discovery.
Spoiler-Free Summary of These Is My Words
The story These Is My Words follows Sarah Agnes Prine, a young woman living in the American West during the late 1800s.
When her family begins a difficult wagon journey, Sarah starts recording her experiences in a diary. She learns about friendship, danger, responsibility, and the hardships of frontier life.
Along the way, she meets people who change her understanding of love and family. She also discovers her interest in books and education.
As the years pass, Sarah experiences marriage, motherhood, and the challenges of managing a home and ranch. Her relationship with Captain Jack Elliot becomes an important part of her emotional journey.
The novel explores how Sarah develops from a young girl into an independent woman. Her story includes happiness and success, but it also contains painful losses.
Readers who enjoy Historical Romance, family stories, and strong female characters may find Sarah’s journey especially meaningful.
Full Summary of These Is My Words (With Spoilers)
These Is My Words follows Sarah Agnes Prine from her teenage years in 1881 to adulthood in 1901. Her life changes through family tragedies, difficult relationships, motherhood, and the search for happiness. The following summary explains the major events in chronological order.
1. Sarah and Her Family Begin Their Journey West
The story opens in July 1881. Sarah Prine is a teenage girl traveling with her family toward San Angelo, Texas Territory. Her family includes Mama, Papa, and her brothers Ernest, Albert, Harland, and Clover.
Her father has decided to leave their horse ranch in New Mexico Territory. He hopes to find better opportunities for the family in the West.
Sarah records the journey in her diary. She enjoys riding her horse, Rose, and learning new things. She is also interested in books and wants to improve her writing.
However, the journey soon becomes dangerous. The family faces illness, violence, and unexpected accidents. Sarah learns that life on the frontier is much harder than she imagined.
During the journey, her youngest brother, Clover, dies after a snakebite. This loss brings deep sadness to the family.
The situation becomes worse when the travelers face an attack. Ernest is seriously injured and loses his leg. Papa is also wounded while trying to protect the family.
These events change Sarah’s life. She begins to understand that survival requires courage and quick decisions.
2. Sarah Takes Responsibility After Losing Her Father
Papa’s injury becomes more serious, and he eventually dies from complications.
His death leaves the family without the person who guided their journey. Mama also struggles emotionally after losing her husband and son.
Sarah must take on responsibilities that would normally belong to her father. She helps manage the wagon, finds food, hunts, and looks after the remaining family members.
This period shows Sarah’s growing strength. She does not have the luxury of giving up because other people depend on her.
Her mother experiences a period of emotional confusion, making Sarah’s responsibilities even greater.
The family continues moving forward despite its losses. Sarah learns that being strong does not mean feeling no sadness. It means finding a way to continue when everything seems difficult.
Her experience becomes an important part of her Personal Growth and Transformation.
3. Sarah Meets Captain Jack Elliot
During the wagon journey, Sarah meets Captain Jack Elliot, a cavalry officer responsible for helping guide and protect the travelers.
Their first interactions are not especially friendly.
Jack appears strict, proud, and sometimes rude. Sarah does not like his manner and considers him difficult to understand.
One important disagreement happens when Sarah discovers a wagon full of books. She wants to keep them because reading is important to her.
However, she needs additional horses to move the wagon. Jack agrees to provide horses in exchange for some of her books.
Sarah dislikes this bargain because she feels he is taking something valuable from her.
Despite their arguments, Jack notices Sarah’s courage and intelligence. He sees that she is different from many young women he has met.
Sarah also begins to understand that Jack has qualities beyond his rough personality.
During a difficult moment on the trail, Sarah becomes overwhelmed by the danger and responsibilities surrounding her. Jack comforts her, allowing her to express the sadness she has been hiding.
This moment creates a new emotional connection between them. Sarah begins to see a kinder side of the captain, although she does not fully understand her feelings.
4. The Prine Family Settles Near Tucson
After many hardships, the Prine family eventually reaches the Arizona Territory and settles outside Tucson.
Their new home offers a chance to rebuild their lives.
Sarah remains close to her mother and brothers. Her brother Albert is also building his own family with Savannah Lawrence, a young woman who has become very close to Sarah.
Savannah Lawrence becomes an important person in Sarah’s life. Their relationship feels more like sisterhood than an ordinary friendship.
Sarah continues to improve her reading and writing. She wants to become more educated and learn how to behave like the refined women she reads about.
Jack Elliot remains part of her thoughts, even after the family settles.
They continue communicating through letters. Sarah also wants to recover the book she previously traded to him.
Meanwhile, the family begins adjusting to the demands of frontier settlement. They must establish a home, care for their animals, and create a stable future.
This part of the novel These Is My Words shows the difference between traveling across the West and actually building a life there.
5. Jimmy Reed Arrives and Changes Sarah’s Future
An old family friend named Jimmy Reed eventually arrives in Arizona with a herd of horses.
Jimmy had previously been connected to the Prine family. He now wants to establish his own horse ranch near their settlement.
Sarah and Jimmy begin spending time together. Their relationship develops into a courtship.
At this stage, Sarah wants marriage and a stable family life. She believes Jimmy may provide the future she has been hoping for.
Jimmy proposes, and Sarah accepts.
They marry, and Sarah begins a new chapter of her life. Their daughter, April Prine, is born.
Motherhood brings Sarah new responsibilities. She must care for her daughter while also managing the household and ranch.
However, marriage does not bring the happiness she expected.
Jimmy becomes emotionally distant, and Sarah starts noticing problems in their relationship. Their marriage lacks the affection and understanding she had hoped to find.
Sarah slowly realizes that being married is not the same as being loved.
6. Jimmy’s Death Leaves Sarah With Painful Truths
Jimmy’s marriage to Sarah becomes increasingly unhappy.
His behavior and emotional distance make Sarah question their relationship. She tries to manage her family responsibilities, but her personal life remains difficult.
Then Jimmy suffers a serious riding accident.
His injuries eventually lead to his death. Before dying, he admits that he has loved another woman.
This confession hurts Sarah deeply. She realizes that the marriage she entered with hope was never the loving relationship she wanted.
After his death, Sarah also learns troubling details about Jimmy’s behavior, including his dishonesty and involvement in horse theft.
These discoveries make her view their marriage differently.
Sarah is now a widow with a young daughter and a ranch to manage. She must find a way to support April and protect their future.
Although she feels hurt and disappointed, she does not allow these experiences to destroy her independence.
Her first marriage teaches her an important lesson: a woman deserves honesty, respect, and genuine affection in a relationship.
This experience also changes what Sarah expects from love.
7. Sarah Rescues Jack Elliot After His Accident
After Jimmy’s death, Sarah’s life takes an unexpected turn.
One day, her dog leads her to a man who has been trapped beneath a dead horse after a riding accident.
Sarah discovers that the injured man is Captain Jack Elliot.
Jack has returned to the region because of military responsibilities connected to the conflicts in Arizona. His accident has left him badly injured.
Sarah quickly understands that he needs help. She arranges to bring him to her home and takes care of him.
She provides food, attention, and medical care while he recovers.
This event brings Sarah and Jack together again after a long separation.
Their relationship begins to change. Jack has always respected Sarah’s courage, but now he sees her kindness and independence more clearly.
Sarah also discovers that her feelings toward him are stronger than she expected.
After his recovery, Jack leaves to return to his duties. However, their connection continues.
This time, Sarah has a better understanding of the man behind the military uniform.
8. Jack Begins Courting Sarah
Jack does not immediately rush Sarah into marriage.
Instead, he begins finding ways to spend time with her. He helps with work around her property and shows interest in April.
His kindness toward Sarah’s daughter is important. Sarah wants a partner who will accept her child and respect her responsibilities as a mother.
Jack gradually makes his feelings clear.
Sarah, however, remains cautious. Her experience with Jimmy has made her afraid of trusting someone too quickly.
She wants to know whether Jack genuinely loves her.
She also worries about his military career. His duties mean he may be away for long periods, leaving her alone to manage the household.
Despite these concerns, their relationship grows stronger.
Jack eventually proposes marriage. Sarah accepts after making sure that his feelings are genuine.
Their relationship is not perfect, but it is based on a deeper connection than Sarah experienced in her first marriage.
The two begin building a future together.
Plot references: SuperSummary’s plot guide and chapter summaries, BookRags, and Kirkus Reviews. SuperSummary+4
Sarah and Jack’s Marriage and Family Life
9. Sarah Builds a New Life With Jack
After their marriage, Sarah and Jack begin building a home together.
Their relationship brings Sarah a kind of emotional security she did not experience with Jimmy. Jack is loving and attentive, although his military responsibilities continue to create difficulties.
He often leaves home for long assignments. Sarah finds these separations painful because she wants her husband to be present in everyday family life.
Jack eventually suggests moving to Tucson. He believes living closer to his military post will allow him to spend more time with his family.
The move also gives April an opportunity to attend school in town.
Sarah agrees, and the family begins a new chapter.
Living near the fort helps Sarah understand Jack’s military life. She becomes familiar with the people who work alongside him and learns more about the risks he faces.
Over time, she becomes more accepting of his responsibilities.
Their marriage grows stronger as they learn to balance love, family duties, and military service.
10. Sarah Continues Her Education
Education remains an important goal throughout Sarah’s life.
She began the novel with limited formal schooling. However, her interest in books never disappears.
As the years pass, she continues reading and improving her writing. She also works toward completing her education.
Eventually, Sarah passes her twelfth-grade examinations.
This achievement means a great deal to her because she has worked hard to reach it.
However, she faces a difficult choice when her son Harland prepares to attend college. Sarah also dreams of continuing her studies, but her responsibilities as a mother prevent her from following the same path.
At first, this disappointment affects her deeply.
She must accept that her life has taken a different direction. Nevertheless, she understands that learning does not have to stop because she cannot attend college.
Sarah’s experience highlights the value of Self Education and the importance of pursuing knowledge at every stage of life.
Her journey also shows that personal success can take many forms.
11. Sarah and Jack Welcome More Children
Sarah and Jack expand their family over the years.
Sarah becomes the mother of several children, and her responsibilities grow.
She must balance raising children with managing the household and supporting Jack’s career.
Life in Tucson brings certain comforts, but motherhood still requires patience and hard work.
The children develop different personalities and interests.
April continues her education, while Harland becomes interested in academic and professional work. His later success as an architect becomes an important family achievement.
Jack remains a loving father, although his military duties sometimes take him away.
Sarah’s family life includes many happy moments, but it is not free from sadness. She experiences the difficult realities of raising children during a time when medical care and everyday living conditions are very different from those of modern families.
The novel These Is My Words presents motherhood as both rewarding and demanding.
12. Harland Becomes an Architect
As Sarah’s children grow older, Harland develops his own ambitions.
He works hard in his education and eventually becomes an architect.
His achievement makes Sarah proud because she has always valued learning and personal improvement.
Harland also helps design a new home for Sarah and Jack.
The house is built on land Jack has purchased outside the fort. It includes several modern features that impress Sarah.
For Sarah, the new home represents the progress her family has made.
She has moved from a difficult wagon journey to a comfortable household with opportunities that once seemed impossible.
The house also becomes a symbol of the family’s hard work and determination.
Its impressive design attracts local attention, and a newspaper publishes a story about it.
This part of the novel These Is My Words highlights the family’s movement from basic frontier survival toward a more settled and comfortable life.
13. Ernest and Felicity Visit the Family
Another important family event occurs when Sarah’s brother Ernest visits with his new wife, Felicity.
Their visit is not entirely peaceful.
Felicity has a different personality from Sarah. She appears spoiled and has little understanding of the hard work involved in maintaining a ranch.
She becomes interested in buying part of the Elliot family’s successful cattle business.
However, Sarah knows that ranching is not an easy way to make money.
Instead of simply explaining the difficulties, Sarah gives Felicity an opportunity to experience the work herself.
Felicity quickly discovers that cattle ranching involves much more effort than she expected.
The experience makes her uncomfortable, and she eventually leaves with Ernest.
This episode provides a glimpse of Sarah’s practical knowledge.
She has spent years learning how to manage animals, land, and family responsibilities. She understands that success comes through daily work rather than appearances.
It also shows that Sarah has become a confident woman who is no longer afraid to defend her experience.
The Final Tragedies in Sarah’s Life
14. The Death of Suzanne Changes Everything
One of the most painful moments in the novel comes when Sarah and Jack lose their youngest daughter, Suzanne.
Jack is away when Suzanne becomes seriously ill with scarlet fever.
Sarah and the family do everything they can, but the child dies.
The loss deeply affects both parents.
Jack is especially devastated because he was not home during his daughter’s final illness.
The tragedy changes his view of military service.
For many years, he has placed his duty as a soldier above his own comfort and safety. However, Suzanne’s death makes him question the cost of his career.
He realizes that his family needs him at home.
Eventually, Jack decides to leave the military.
He takes a new position as Tucson’s fire chief, hoping to spend more time with Sarah and their children.
This decision marks a major change in his life.
After years of military service, he wants to focus on his family and the community.
15. Jack’s Death Brings Another Heartbreaking Loss
Jack’s new career also brings unexpected danger.
While serving as Tucson’s fire chief, he responds to a fire at the town courthouse.
During the emergency, he enters the burning building because he believes someone may still be trapped inside.
His decision is brave, but it becomes fatal.
Jack suffers serious injuries and is taken to the hospital.
Sarah and the children rush to his side.
They hope he will recover, but his injuries are too severe.
Jack dies, leaving Sarah a widow for the second time.
His final words express concern for Sarah and the children he is leaving behind.
His death is especially painful because Sarah has finally found the lasting love she wanted.
The man who once seemed difficult and distant has become the center of her family.
His loss leaves a space that cannot easily be filled.
The novel These Is My Words shows how even a loving and successful family can face events beyond its control.
How Does These Is My Words End?
Major Ending Spoilers
The novel These Is My Words ends after Jack’s death, when Sarah must decide how to continue living without him.
She chooses to return to her ranch outside Tucson.
Her sons, Charlie and Gilbert, are excited about returning to ranch life. However, April is unhappy with the decision and runs away because she does not want to return to the place connected with some of Sarah’s most difficult years.
Sarah also makes arrangements to have Jack’s and Suzanne’s coffins reinterred at the ranch.
This decision brings the family back to a place that holds many important memories.
In the closing moments, Sarah looks toward the night sky and names a star for Jack.
The ending is sad, but it also reflects Sarah’s ability to keep moving forward.
She has experienced the deaths of loved ones, an unhappy first marriage, difficult years of motherhood, and the loss of her greatest love.
Yet she remains determined to protect her family and continue living.
The final scene connects love, grief, memory, and the natural world. Jack is no longer physically beside Sarah, but his importance in her life remains.
The ending reminds readers that enduring love can survive even after death.
Ending and later family events cross-checked against SuperSummary and BookRags. SuperSummary+2
What Makes Sarah’s Journey Important?
Sarah’s journey is important because it shows how a person can change through difficult experiences.
At the beginning, she is a young girl who wants education, love, and a better future. She does not know how much responsibility life will place on her.
By the end, she has become an experienced rancher, mother, and independent woman.
Her story highlights several important ideas:
- Courage: Sarah faces danger without giving up.
- Education: She continues learning even when formal schooling is difficult.
- Love: Her relationships teach her the difference between marriage and genuine affection.
- Motherhood: She works hard to protect and raise her children.
- Resilience: She continues living after losing people she loves.
- Independence: She develops the skills needed to manage her own life.
These experiences make Sarah a memorable example of a Strong Female Protagonist in historical fiction.
Main Characters in These Is My Words Explained
The characters in These Is My Words make the story feel personal and realistic. Each person has a different role in Sarah’s life. Some help her grow, while others bring challenges that change her future.
Nancy E. Turner uses these relationships to explore family, love, responsibility, and survival in the American West.
Here are the most important characters and their roles in the novel.
1. Sarah Agnes Prine, These Is My Words
Sarah Agnes Prine is the main character and narrator of the novel.
The entire story is told through her diary entries. Readers follow her life from a teenage girl in 1881 to a mature woman in 1901.
Sarah is intelligent, curious, brave, and independent. She enjoys riding horses, reading books, and learning new skills.
However, her life is full of difficult experiences. She loses family members, experiences an unhappy first marriage, and later faces the death of her second husband.
Despite these challenges, Sarah continues building her life.
Character Development: Sarah changes from an inexperienced young girl into a confident woman who can manage a ranch, raise children, and make difficult decisions. Her journey represents Women’s Strength in the West.
2. Captain Jack Elliot, These Is My Words
Captain Jack Elliot is Sarah’s second husband and one of the most important characters in the story.
He is a military officer who first meets Sarah during her family’s journey across the frontier.
At first, Jack appears strict and difficult. His personality sometimes causes disagreements with Sarah.
However, their relationship develops as they get to know each other.
Jack respects Sarah’s intelligence and courage. He also accepts her daughter April and becomes an important father figure in her life.
Their marriage gives Sarah the loving relationship she had wanted.
Jack’s military career creates challenges because he often spends time away from home. Eventually, after a family tragedy, he leaves military service and becomes Tucson’s fire chief.
His death in a courthouse fire becomes one of the saddest events in the novel.
Character Development: Jack changes from a dedicated military officer into a family-focused husband and father. His story shows the conflict between public duty and private responsibilities.
3. Jimmy Reed, These Is My Words
Jimmy Reed is Sarah’s first husband.
He arrives in Arizona with horses and becomes interested in establishing a ranch.
Sarah eventually marries him and has a daughter, April.
However, their marriage becomes unhappy. Jimmy is emotionally distant and does not give Sarah the love and honesty she expects.
After his death, Sarah learns more about his dishonest behavior and discovers that he had loved another woman.
His character is important because he helps Sarah understand what she truly wants from a relationship.
Character Development: Jimmy’s role in the story reveals the difference between an outwardly stable marriage and a genuinely loving partnership.
4. April Prine, These Is My Words
April Prine is Sarah’s daughter from her first marriage to Jimmy Reed.
April becomes an important part of Sarah and Jack’s family.
Sarah works hard to provide her with a safe and loving childhood. Jack also accepts April and develops a fatherly relationship with her.
As April grows older, she develops her own opinions and desires.
Her decision to run away when Sarah plans to return to the ranch shows that she does not always agree with her mother’s choices.
Character Development: April represents the challenges of motherhood and the growing independence of children. Her relationship with Sarah also shows that parents and children can experience the same family events differently.
5. Mama Prine, These Is My Words
Mama Prine is Sarah’s mother.
She travels with the family during their difficult journey west.
The loss of her husband and young son deeply affects her. These tragedies make it difficult for her to manage everyday responsibilities.
Sarah becomes increasingly responsible for supporting her mother and protecting the remaining family.
Mama’s character helps readers understand how grief can affect people in different ways.
Character Development: Mama’s experiences reveal the emotional hardships faced by pioneer families, especially women who lose their partners during dangerous journeys.
6. Ernest Prine, These Is My Words
Ernest Prine is one of Sarah’s brothers.
He is seriously injured during the family’s dangerous journey and loses his leg.
His injury changes his future and affects the entire family.
Ernest later builds his own life and visits Sarah with his wife, Felicity.
His experiences show how physical injuries could affect a person’s independence and opportunities during the 19th century.
7. Albert Prine, These Is My Words
Albert Prine is another of Sarah’s brothers.
He becomes connected to Savannah Lawrence, who develops a close relationship with Sarah.
Albert represents the family connections that remain important even as Sarah builds a separate life.
His character also helps show the importance of marriage and family relationships in the novel.
8. Harland Prine, These Is My Words
Harland Prine is one of Sarah’s sons.
He works hard in his education and eventually becomes an architect.
His success makes Sarah proud.
He also helps design a new family home, showing how the next generation contributes to the family’s future.
Harland represents education, ambition, and the opportunities that become possible through hard work.
9. Savannah Lawrence, These Is My Words
Savannah Lawrence becomes closely connected to Sarah through her relationship with Albert.
She is more than a relative by marriage. Her friendship with Sarah provides emotional support during the difficult years of frontier life.
Savannah helps show the importance of female friendship and shared responsibilities.
10. Suzanne, These Is My Words
Suzanne is one of Sarah and Jack’s daughters.
Her illness and death become one of the most painful moments in the novel.
Her loss deeply affects both parents and contributes to Jack’s decision to leave military service.
Suzanne’s story highlights the dangers of childhood illness during a period when medical treatment was limited.
11. Charlie and Gilbert,These Is My Words
Charlie and Gilbert are Sarah and Jack’s sons.
They become excited about returning to the family ranch after Jack’s death.
Their reactions contrast with April’s feelings and show that siblings can respond differently to the same family situation.
They also represent Sarah’s continuing responsibilities as a mother.
12. Rose the Horse, These Is My Words
Rose is Sarah’s horse and an important part of her early life.
Sarah enjoys riding and feels comfortable around horses.
The horse also connects Sarah to the practical world of ranching and frontier travel.
Rose represents Sarah’s independence, love of outdoor life, and connection with the land.
Character Relationships and Their Importance
The relationships between the characters help explain the emotional meaning of the novel These Is My Words .
| Character | Relationship With Sarah | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Jack Elliot | Second husband | True love, companionship, and family |
| Jimmy Reed | First husband | Disappointment and lessons about marriage |
| April Prine | Daughter | Motherhood and responsibility |
| Mama Prine | Mother | Family duty and grief |
| Ernest Prine | Brother | Family survival and physical hardship |
| Albert Prine | Brother | Family connections |
| Harland Prine | Son | Education and achievement |
| Savannah Lawrence | Sister-in-law and close companion | Friendship and support |
| Suzanne | Daughter | Love, loss, and grief |
| Charlie and Gilbert | Sons | Family continuity and responsibility |
| Rose | Horse | Freedom and frontier life |
These relationships make the story more than a record of historical events. They show how love, family, and personal choices shape a person’s identity.
Major Themes in These Is My Words Explained
Nancy E. Turner explores several themes through Sarah’s life. These themes connect the personal experiences of one woman to the wider history of pioneer families.
1. Women’s Resilience and Strength
One of the strongest themes in the novel is Women’s Resilience.
Sarah lives in a period when women have fewer educational and professional opportunities than men.
They are often expected to manage homes, raise children, and support their husbands.
Sarah does these things, but she also develops skills that allow her to become independent.
She learns to ride horses, hunt, manage ranch work, and make difficult decisions.
Her experiences show that women are not simply passive members of frontier families. They are active participants in survival and community building.
Why it matters: Sarah’s story gives readers a deeper understanding of the hard work and courage required of pioneer women.
2. Love and Loss
Love is another central theme.
Sarah experiences different forms of love throughout her life.
Her first marriage to Jimmy does not provide the emotional connection she wants. Her second marriage to Jack offers a deeper relationship based on affection and mutual respect.
However, happiness does not protect her from loss.
She loses family members during her early journey and later loses Suzanne and Jack.
These events show that love can bring great happiness but also make grief more painful.
Why it matters: The novel These Is My Words suggests that love remains valuable even when relationships end through death or disappointment.
3. Education and Self Discovery
Sarah begins with limited formal education.
She makes mistakes in her diary and struggles to express herself clearly.
However, she never loses her desire to learn.
Books become important companions, and writing allows her to explore her thoughts.
Her progress shows that education is not only about attending school. It is also about curiosity, practice, and the willingness to improve.
Why it matters: Sarah’s journey encourages readers to value learning throughout their lives.
4. Family Responsibilities and Motherhood, These Is My Words
Family responsibility shapes almost every stage of Sarah’s life.
She helps care for her mother after her father’s death. Later, she raises April and builds a family with Jack.
Her responsibilities do not disappear when she becomes successful or educated.
Instead, she constantly balances personal goals with the needs of others.
Motherhood brings happiness, but it also requires difficult sacrifices.
Why it matters: The novel presents motherhood as a complex experience involving love, patience, hard work, and emotional strength.
5. Survival on the American Frontier
The Survival on the American Frontier theme is visible throughout the novel.
Sarah’s family faces dangerous travel conditions, violence, illness, and shortages of basic supplies.
After reaching Arizona, they must still work hard to establish a stable home.
The story shows that survival depends on practical knowledge and cooperation.
People must learn to use the land, care for animals, and support one another.
Why it matters: The novel These Is My Words helps readers understand that frontier life involved much more than adventure and freedom. It also required constant effort and sacrifice.
6. Courage and Determination
Sarah’s courage appears in many different situations.
She continues caring for her family after losing her father. She manages her ranch after Jimmy’s death and faces new challenges when Jack is away.
Her courage is not always dramatic.
Sometimes it appears in ordinary actions, such as getting up each morning, completing difficult work, or making decisions for her children.
Why it matters: The novel These Is My Words shows that courage is often the ability to continue despite fear, sadness, and uncertainty.
7. Marriage and Personal Independence
The two marriages in Sarah’s life provide different experiences.
Her first marriage shows how loneliness and dishonesty can damage a relationship.
Her second marriage demonstrates the importance of respect, affection, and emotional support.
Sarah also learns that marriage should not remove a woman’s identity.
She continues to have her own interests, responsibilities, and ambitions.
Why it matters: The novel These Is My Words explores the balance between loving another person and maintaining personal independence.
8. Grief and Healing,These Is My Words
Grief is a major part of Sarah’s life.
She experiences several painful losses, including her father, brother, first husband, daughter, and second husband.
Each loss affects her differently.
However, Sarah gradually finds ways to continue living.
Her diary becomes one place where she can express her sadness and preserve memories.
Why it matters: The novel These Is My Words presents healing as a gradual process rather than something that happens immediately.
9. Women’s Independence in the 19th Century
Sarah’s life also explores Women’s Independence during the late 1800s.
Women during this period often had limited control over property, education, and public life. Their opportunities were shaped by social expectations and family responsibilities.
Sarah challenges these limitations through her actions.
She develops practical skills, manages property, and makes important decisions about her future.
Her independence does not mean she rejects family life. Instead, she shows that a woman can love her family while maintaining her own identity.
Why it matters: This theme makes Sarah’s story relevant to modern readers who value education, equal opportunities, and personal freedom.
10. Love, Loyalty, and Sacrifice, These Is My Words
Sarah’s relationships reveal that love requires more than attraction.
Her relationship with Jimmy teaches her about disappointment and dishonesty. Her relationship with Jack shows the value of loyalty, patience, and emotional support.
Jack also makes sacrifices because of his military responsibilities.
However, his eventual decision to leave military service shows that personal relationships can become more important than professional duty.
Why it matters: The novel encourages readers to consider how love is expressed through everyday actions, commitment, and care.
11. The Changing American West, These Is My Words
The novel These Is My Words also captures changes taking place in the American West.
At the beginning, Sarah’s family travels through a landscape where survival is uncertain.
As the years pass, communities become more established. Ranches grow, towns develop, and new opportunities become available.
Sarah’s personal development happens alongside these changes.
Her journey reflects the movement from temporary frontier settlements toward more organized communities.
Why it matters: This theme connects Sarah’s private experiences to the wider historical transformation of the western United States.
Important Symbols and Literary Devices in These Is My Words
Nancy E. Turner uses the diary format, natural surroundings, and everyday objects to add deeper meaning to Sarah’s story.
These elements help readers understand the characters’ feelings without relying only on direct explanations.
1. Sarah’s Diary Represents Her Identity
The diary is one of the most important elements of the novel These Is My Words.
It represents Sarah’s thoughts, dreams, memories, and personal development.
At the beginning, Sarah struggles to express herself in writing. Over time, her diary becomes a record of how much she has learned.
It also gives her a private place to express feelings she cannot always share with other people.
Meaning: The diary symbolizes education, self-expression, and the power of personal memories.
2. Horses Represent Freedom and Independence
Horses are closely connected to Sarah’s life.
She enjoys riding and feels confident when working with animals.
Her relationship with horses reflects her independent personality and love of the outdoors.
They also represent the practical realities of frontier living because horses are essential for transportation, ranch work, and travel.
Meaning: Horses symbolize freedom, strength, and Sarah’s connection with the frontier.
3. The Arizona Landscape Represents Survival
The Arizona landscape is more than a background for the story.
It creates challenges for the characters and shapes their daily lives.
The desert, mountains, open land, and changing weather remind readers that survival requires preparation and determination.
At the same time, the land offers opportunities for building homes and establishing ranches.
Meaning: The landscape represents both the dangers and possibilities of frontier life.
4. The Family Ranch Represents Stability
The ranch becomes an important part of Sarah’s identity.
It provides a home, work, and a place where her family can grow.
After experiencing several tragedies, Sarah’s connection to the ranch becomes even more meaningful.
Returning to it after Jack’s death reflects her desire to rebuild her life.
Meaning: The ranch symbolizes independence, family history, hard work, and continuity.
5. Stars Represent Memory and Enduring Love
The stars in the ending carry emotional meaning.
After Jack’s death, Sarah looks toward the night sky and connects a star with his memory.
This moment shows that she wants to preserve her love for him.
The stars also suggest that memories can remain meaningful even when someone is no longer physically present.
Meaning: Stars symbolize remembrance, lasting affection, and the emotional connection between the living and the dead.
Literary Devices Used in the Novel, These Is My Words
| Literary Device | How It Works in the Story |
|---|---|
| First-Person Narration | Sarah tells her story through personal diary entries. |
| Diary Format | Events are presented as Sarah records them over time. |
| Historical Setting | The late 19th-century American West shapes the characters’ experiences. |
| Character Development | Sarah changes through education, marriage, motherhood, and loss. |
| Symbolism | The diary, horses, ranch, and stars carry deeper meanings. |
| Contrast | Sarah’s two marriages show different experiences of love. |
| Imagery | Descriptions of frontier life help readers picture the setting. |
| Emotional Conflict | Sarah struggles with grief, family responsibilities, and personal desires. |
Why Does Sarah Agnes Prine Change So Much Throughout the Novel These Is My Words?
Sarah changes because every stage of her life teaches her something different.
Her early experiences teach her how to survive. Her relationships teach her about trust and love. Motherhood teaches her patience and responsibility. Education helps her develop confidence and independence.
Her transformation can be understood through five important stages.
- Young Sarah: She is curious, energetic, and eager to learn about the world.
- Sarah During the Journey: She becomes responsible for helping her family survive dangerous situations.
- Sarah as a Young Wife: She learns that marriage does not always provide happiness or security.
- Sarah as a Mother and Rancher: She develops practical independence and becomes responsible for a growing family.
- Sarah After Jack’s Death: She faces grief but continues protecting her children and preserving her family’s future.
Sarah’s development is not a simple journey from weakness to strength. She already has courage at the beginning. Her experiences help her understand how to use that courage in different parts of life.
This is why readers can connect with her even though her story These Is My Words takes place in a very different historical period.
What Makes These Is My Words Different From Other Historical Fiction Novels?
Many Historical Fiction novels focus on wars, famous leaders, or major political events.
These Is My Words takes a more personal approach.
It explores history through the everyday experiences of one woman.
Several features make it stand out.
1. A Woman’s Personal Perspective
The story focuses on Sarah’s feelings and experiences rather than presenting frontier history through a distant narrator.
2. Diary-Based Storytelling
Readers discover the story through Sarah’s changing writing style and personal observations.
3. A Long Period of Character Development
The novel follows Sarah across approximately twenty years, allowing readers to see how her beliefs and responsibilities change.
4. A Realistic Family Focus
The story explores marriage, children, siblings, grief, and everyday work.
5. A Combination of Romance and Frontier Survival
The relationship between Sarah and Jack is important, but the book also gives attention to ranching, education, military service, and independence.
These elements make the novel appealing to readers who enjoy both family-centered stories and the history of the American West.
Common Misunderstandings About These Is My Words
Readers sometimes misunderstand the novel because its romance, historical setting, and diary format work together.
Here are five points worth remembering.
1. Is the Novel Only a Love Story?
No. Romance is important, especially Sarah’s relationship with Jack, but the novel covers much more.
It explores education, family survival, ranching, motherhood, and women’s independence.
2. Is Sarah a Weak Character Because She Experiences Loss?
No. Sarah’s sadness does not make her weak.
Her ability to continue caring for her family while experiencing grief is one of the strongest parts of her character.
3. Does Sarah’s Second Marriage Solve All Her Problems?
No. Her relationship with Jack brings happiness, but military responsibilities and family tragedies continue to create difficulties.
4. Is the Diary Just a Way to Tell the Plot?
No. The diary is also an important part of Sarah’s character development.
Her changing writing reflects her growing knowledge, confidence, and understanding of life.
5. Is the Novel a Completely Accurate Historical Diary?
No. It is historical fiction inspired by family history. Sarah’s story should not be treated as a verified historical diary.
Is These Is My Words Worth Reading?
Yes. These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner is worth reading if you enjoy historical fiction, emotional family stories, and strong female characters.
The novel These Is My Words offers more than a traditional Western romance. It follows Sarah Prine through many stages of life, showing how she handles love, education, motherhood, and loss.
One of its strongest features is the diary format. Readers can see Sarah’s writing improve as she gains knowledge and experience. This makes her personal growth feel natural.
The book also gives readers a picture of Frontier Life during the late 19th century. It shows the work involved in building a home, managing a ranch, raising children, and surviving difficult conditions.
However, the story includes violence, illness, and several heartbreaking deaths. Readers who prefer light and cheerful stories may find some parts emotionally difficult.
Overall, it is a meaningful choice for readers who enjoy stories about courage, family, and personal transformation.
Who Should Read These Is My Words?
This novel These Is My Words can appeal to different types of readers.
1. Historical Fiction Fans
Readers who enjoy stories set in the 19th century will appreciate the Arizona Territory setting and the details of frontier living.
2. Historical Romance Readers
People who enjoy emotional relationships will find Sarah and Jack’s love story an important part of the novel.
3. Readers Who Enjoy Strong Female Characters
Sarah is independent, determined, and willing to face difficult situations. Her experiences make her an interesting female protagonist.
4. Book Club Members
The novel These Is My Words offers many topics for discussion, including marriage, education, motherhood, and the meaning of independence.
5. Readers Interested in American History
People interested in pioneer settlements, military life, ranching, and the development of western communities may enjoy its historical setting.
6. Readers Who Enjoy Diary-Based Stories
The diary format gives readers a personal view of the narrator’s experiences.
7. Readers Who Appreciate Family Sagas
The story follows Sarah across many years and explores several generations of family relationships.
Book Club Discussion Questions for These Is My Words
The following questions can help readers explore the novel These Is My Words beyond its basic plot.
- How does Sarah change between the beginning and ending of the novel?
- Why does Sarah value books and education so deeply?
- How does the diary format affect the way readers understand Sarah?
- What differences do you notice between Sarah’s marriages to Jimmy and Jack?
- How does frontier life influence Sarah’s personality?
- Why does Jack’s military career create difficulties for the family?
- How does motherhood affect Sarah’s personal ambitions?
- What does the family ranch represent in Sarah’s life?
- How do the deaths of Suzanne and Jack change Sarah’s future?
- Does Sarah become more independent as she grows older? Explain your answer.
These questions encourage readers to discuss Women’s Independence, family relationships, and the emotional meaning of the story.
Frequently Asked Questions About These Is My Words
1. Who wrote These Is My Words?
Nancy E. Turner wrote These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881–1901. The novel was first published in 1998 and was inspired by the author’s family history. SuperSummary+1
2. What is These Is My Words about?
The novel These Is My Words follows Sarah Agnes Prine, a young woman growing up in the American West. It explores her journey through family tragedies, marriage, motherhood, education, and her relationship with Captain Jack Elliot.
3. Is These Is My Words based on a true story?
The novel These Is My Words is historical fiction inspired by Nancy E. Turner’s family history and genealogical research. Sarah’s story is fictionalized rather than a fully verified historical diary. SuperSummary+1
4. Who is Sarah Agnes Prine?
Sarah Agnes Prine is the main character and narrator. She is a courageous young woman who grows into an independent mother and rancher while facing many challenges in the Arizona Territory.
5. Who does Sarah marry in These Is My Words?
Sarah first marries Jimmy Reed. After his death, she develops a relationship with Captain Jack Elliot, whom she later marries.
6. Who is Captain Jack Elliot?
Captain Jack Elliot is a cavalry officer who becomes Sarah’s second husband. He is an important part of her emotional journey and family life.
7. What happens to Jimmy Reed?
Jimmy Reed dies following a riding accident. After his death, Sarah discovers more about his dishonesty and the problems in their marriage.
8. How does These Is My Words end?
The novel These Is My Words ends after Jack dies from injuries sustained while responding to a courthouse fire. Sarah returns to her ranch with her children and finds a way to continue living despite her grief.
9. What is the main theme of These Is My Words?
The central themes include women’s resilience, love, loss, education, family responsibility, and independence. The novel These Is My Words shows how Sarah develops through difficult experiences.
10. Why is the novel written in diary form?
The diary format allows readers to experience Sarah’s thoughts and feelings directly. It also shows how her writing, knowledge, and understanding change as she grows older.
11. What historical period does These Is My Words cover?
The novel These Is My Words covers approximately 1881 to 1901, during the late 19th century. Its main setting is the Arizona Territory and the developing communities of the American West.
12. Is These Is My Words part of a series?
Yes. It is the first book in Nancy E. Turner’s Sarah Agnes Prine series. The later novels include Sarah’s Quilt and The Star Garden. SuperSummary+1
13. Is These Is My Words suitable for a book club?
Yes. The novel These Is My Words offers useful discussion topics about marriage, education, motherhood, grief, courage, and women’s independence. Its long timeline also makes Sarah’s character development interesting to discuss. SuperSummary+1
14. What makes Sarah Prine a strong female character?
Sarah is brave, practical, curious, and independent. She learns to manage difficult situations, care for her family, and make decisions even when she faces emotional pain.
15. Is These Is My Words worth reading?
Yes, especially for readers who enjoy historical fiction, Western settings, emotional family stories, and meaningful romantic relationships. Its diary format makes Sarah’s personal journey especially engaging.
About the Author and Editorial Research
Nancy E. Turner is the author of These Is My Words, a historical novel first published in 1998. The story draws inspiration from her family’s oral history and genealogical research.
For this article These Is My Words , the plot, character details, themes, and historical background have been organized using the publisher’s book description, literary reviews, and established study guides.
The writing and explanations are original. The article separates plot description from literary interpretation and avoids presenting the fictional diary as a verified historical document.
The purpose of this guide is to help readers understand the novel while preserving its important emotional and historical ideas.
Conclusion: Why These Is My Words Is a Memorable Historical Novel
These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner is a moving story about love, family, education, and survival in the American West.
Through Sarah Agnes Prine’s diary, readers experience the difficulties of frontier life and the personal challenges faced by pioneer women. Her journey begins with a young girl who wants to learn about the world and ends with a mature woman who has experienced both great happiness and painful loss.
Sarah’s relationships with Jimmy Reed and Captain Jack Elliot show different sides of love and marriage. Her experiences as a mother and rancher also reveal the strength required to manage a family during difficult times.
One of the most meaningful parts of the novel These Is My Words is Sarah’s determination to keep learning. Her diary becomes a record of her changing thoughts, growing knowledge, and personal achievements.
Although the story contains heartbreaking events, its message is not simply about suffering. It is about finding courage when life becomes difficult and continuing to build a future after loss.
For readers who enjoy Historical Fiction, Western Romance, Pioneer Life, and Strong Female Characters, this novel These Is My Words offers an unforgettable reading experience.
Sarah’s story reminds us that true strength is not about avoiding hardship. It is about facing life’s challenges with courage, love, and determination.
