Shoeless Joe

Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella Section A: The novel, Shoeless Joe, by W.P. Kinsella is set on Ray Kinsella’s farm, in Iowa City, during the 1970’s. During the 1970’s, the ownership of farms was quickly decreasing because larger companies started to buy them off the small owners. The Kinsella farm had acquired great value and even though Ray’s brother-in-law Mark pushed him to sell it, he would always turn down the offer or suggestion. Ray had heard a voice say to him “If you build I, he will come.” He knew that from this repeated phrase he must build it. It was in fact eventually built, the baseball field later became a huge success. Section B: Ray Kinsella is a small, yet very productive farm located in Iowa. Ray holds a strong love for four things in his life. Iowa being one of them, yet his wife, Annie, is the greatest along with the love of his daughter Karin. Baseball also holds a large place in his heart. Ray is a man to act upon his instincts along with his dreams. He heard a voice so he did as the voice told him. Even though Ray Kinsella is one to act upon instincts, he does not have his priorities straight and in order. The Kinsella family was falling drastically behind on their mortgage payments. However, that did not seem to phase Ray too much. He was more worried about building the baseball field. His entire savings were used up to build the baseball field. That also, did not seem to bother him. Ray was born in the same month of his father. They both shared a strong love for the game of baseball and the players in it. His wife, Annie Kinsella, always supported him and “Never once called him crazy. (Shoeless Joe page 5).” Annie Kinsella is Ray’s very supportive wife. Her hair is the color of ‘cayenne pepper’ and is covered in freckles. She is 24 years old and could easily pass for a 16 year old girl. Annie is one to speak her mind when she fears of Ray’s ideas. She was born and raised in the state of Iowa and after her a Ray were married