ABERDEEN, S.D. (NSU) – Dr. Jon D. Schaff, professor of government at Northern State University, has written a chapter for a newly published academic book that examines the connection between literature and agrarian political theory.

Schaff’s work, “All the Past We Leave Behind: Willa Cather’s O Pioneers! and the Agrarian Vision,” appears in This Hard Land: Scenes from the American Working Class, published by Lexington Books. The book, edited by Dr. Steven Michels of Sacred Heart University, is part of Lexington’s Politics, Literature, and Film series, which examines how literature and popular culture reflect working-class experiences in America.

In his chapter, Schaff uses Cather’s classic novel of Nebraska pioneers to explore agrarian political theory, a perspective rooted in the ideals of Thomas Jefferson and Wendell Berry. The philosophy emphasizes rural values such as land stewardship, a strong work ethic, and close-knit communities while challenging modern consumer culture.

“I am always gratified to write about one of my favorite authors, Willa Cather,” Schaff said. “Literature is a great way to explain complex political beliefs. A good story allows us to see a theory come alive, and thus it becomes more real to us.”

Schaff, a longtime faculty member at Northern State University, specializes in American political thought and has published widely on politics, history, and literature.