At the heart of Hamlin Garland's short story, "Under the Lions Paw," runs the theme of man's struggle for survival for himself and his family.1 Although the setting for the story reflects the Midwest region during the late nineteenth century, Garland’s words maintain their relevancy today. 2 As Haskins, the protagonist, struggles for survival, he encounters two unwinnable battles. He faces a conflict of man versus nature and man versus man.3 First, nature defeats him with a grasshopper swarm that decimates his land.4 Secondly, man defeats him in the form of an unscrupulous land speculator. 5 Both of Haskins’s battles mirror issues faced by modern-day man. 7
As an illustration, nature destroys Haskins dreams with a grasshopper swarm.7
As an illustration, nature destroys Haskins dreams with a grasshopper swarm.7