Penny felt hemmed in when Jody asked him how he was feeling.

Penny felt hemmed in when Jody proposed to bring the fawn home.

Penny, the father figure in the novel "The Yearling" by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, often feels confined or restricted in various situations. One such instance is when Jody, his son, proposes to bring home a fawn as a pet. This particular situation makes Penny feel hemmed in, or trapped, for several reasons.

1. Responsibility and extra burden:
Bringing a wild fawn home would mean additional responsibilities for Penny. He already has a farm to take care of, and adding a fawn to the mix would increase his workload. Penny is aware of the challenges involved in raising a wild animal, including the need for proper care, feeding, and ensuring its safety. This added responsibility would make Penny feel overwhelmed and confined.

2. Limited resources:
Penny is well aware of the limited resources available to his family. Living in the backwoods of Florida during the late 1800s, their livelihood depends on hunting, farming, and the meager supplies they can afford. Bringing a fawn home would require additional resources such as food and shelter, which Penny knows they cannot afford. This limitation on resources makes him feel hemmed in, as he cannot provide for the fawn adequately.

3. Lack of freedom:
Penny values his freedom and the ability to live in harmony with nature. He understands the importance of allowing wild animals to remain in their natural habitat rather than domesticating them. Bringing the fawn home would limit its freedom and disrupt the delicate balance of nature. This goes against Penny's principles and makes him feel trapped, as he believes in allowing wildlife to thrive in their natural environment.

4. Potential consequences:
Penny is a practical and wise individual who considers the long-term consequences of his actions. He understands that raising a fawn as a pet may lead to dependency issues and hinder its ability to survive independently in the wild. Moreover, a domesticated fawn may become a target for predators or hunters. These potential negative outcomes make Penny feel hemmed in, as he wants to avoid any harm to the fawn and ensure its well-being.

In conclusion, Penny feels hemmed in when Jody proposes to bring the fawn home due to the added responsibility, limited resources, lack of freedom, and potential consequences. He understands the challenges and implications associated with raising a wild animal and believes it is best to allow the fawn to remain in its natural habitat.

1.Penny felt hemmed in