In the novel, Alexandra is known for conquering the land and securing a future for her family, the earth itself granted Alexandra this virtue. She did not succeed in spite of her femininity but because of it. At first it is “barren and stubborn” but is defeated by “the goddess of fertility” Alexandra. Though the concept of women being connected to land through the power of fertility is a dated and problematic, I still see this review having a powerful message in 1913. I don’t think Cather implied to forward feminist theory in her novel but still left behind some kind of model that women used to imagine new realities even if rigid compared to modern standards.