Grasshoppers serve as a recurring motif throughout the narrative. The presence of grasshoppers, their impact on the characters’ lives, and the symbolism associated with them contribute to the overall themes of hardship, resilience, and the transient nature of prosperity.

One of the primary functions of grasshoppers as a motif is to represent the challenges and adversities that the Ingalls family faces. At the beginning of the book, when the Ingalls family settles on the banks of Plum Creek, the abundance of wheat promises a prosperous future. However, this optimism is quickly shattered when a massive swarm of grasshoppers descends upon the area, devouring the crops and leaving the family in dire straits. The grasshoppers symbolize the unpredictability and fragility of human existence, highlighting how even the most promising circumstances can be disrupted by external forces beyond our control. The repeated appearance of grasshoppers throughout the story serves as a reminder that life is filled with obstacles and setbacks that require resilience and adaptability to overcome.

Furthermore, the grasshoppers symbolize the ephemeral nature of prosperity. As the Ingalls family recovers from the initial devastation and begins to prepare their fields to plant again, they realize the grasshoppers have laid eggs and there will be another year of devastation.