Why do you think Sasha stays so occupied doing small jobs around town? How do the twins approach work in different ways?

After Sasha returns home from New York, she keeps very busy doing odd jobs around town. She runs the ferry, does survey work, picks up tasks at local businesses, and works on her photography—but she never helps with the orchard. Why do you think she stays so occupied? How do the twins approach work in different ways?

I see the biblical Mary and Martha story in the twins. Lil wants to sit at the feet of the pond and pecan tree. Sasha wants to make sure everything is running smoothly and that all the details are checked off the list.

Sasha stays occupied with other jobs to compensate for not helping her sister with the orchard. Sasha looks at work as a distraction while her sister sees the orchard as an obligation.

Their mother gave the orchard to Lil alone. I feel there is a little resentment especially since Lil and their mother seemed to have secrets they did not share with Sasha.

I don’t think Sasha ever really thought that she would come back to their home. The purpose around the home is the orchard, and Sasha doesn’t feel a part of that. Staying busy and doing whatever needs done, gives her a sense of purpose, keeps her busy, and enables her to stay away from the house and orchard where she is confronted with feelings of not belonging and not being included.

New York is a big, bustling, active city. Sasha is accustomed to a faster pace and being on the move. Her constant work allows her to
mimic that-at least a little bit.

Sasha seems to be a nomad that can't be tied down to anyone or anything. Having numberous small jobs keeps her constantly moving to soothe that nomadic longing.

I think Sasha keeps busy doing jobs in town because she felt unneeded and left out by her mother and sister growing up. I feel she tries to keep busy so as not to think about her feelings and she is trying to avoid talking about her feelings with Lil.

I too think Sasha keeps busy to keep herself distracted from thinking about her feelings, including her family dynamics. I also think she wants to be productive and to feel useful.

I agree with Maggie. The mother left the orchard to Lil alone-and that shaped the twin's roles with the orchard. Sasha was tied to her twin sister so she felt compelled to return home but she had no place in the orchard so she kept busy doing other things. I blame the Mom for how she limited both Lil and Sasha.

Sasha stays busy with town projects because she doesn't feel wanted or needed in the orchard - that is Lil's territory. I am not sure that the twins do approach work in different ways.They are both hard workers and are working for the good of the town.