The Woodlawn family is an American pioneer family successfully pursuing their dream and living in a fairly new town in Wisconsin. Caddy is very close to her father, John, who has been given the unusual opportunity to raise one of his daughters; a story he tells to explain his behavior. He is proud that his methodology worked and that Caddy survived because he "would rather see her learn to plow […] if doing so can make her healthy" (Brink 15). John saw that there was a problem with his daughters' health, and as a result, some died. Instead of forcing the continuation of the conventions, he decided that he would rather ensure that Caddy survived as well as being considered suitable by outsiders, never regretting his decision. The two have a bond that he doesn't share with his other children as he cared so much and is credited with helping save her, which gives them a special bond with each other. John takes full responsibility for Caddy's actions. In fact, it's a certain pride that she's still alive to get into trouble. However, a pact between the parents, similar to that between Matthew and Marilla, left the mother to punish and the father to nurture. The biggest disagreement Caddy has with her mother results in her in the bedroom ready to run away. Her father visits her that night to console his daughter, sensing that she wanted some comfort. John, silently and reassuringly, without asking Caddy to change position, reminds her of their closeness, of how she is his little girl, the one who was allowed to run free. John is trying to broaden Caddy's perspective on Caddy without ever stating that her fears are unfounded. He simply reminds her that she can be so much more and that she won't become what she hates. John brings out intelligently and