Who Billy Roberts is
Billy Roberts drives a team of horses for a hauling company in Oakland and has fought for money in boxing rings. He is big, quiet and good-natured, and Saxon notices that he treats her gently rather than boasting.
What Billy Roberts wants
Billy wants steady employment and a wife he can protect, yet he worries about whether he can support a household. He admires Saxon's thrift and love of order, which suggest a life different from the drinking and fights around him.
How Billy Roberts changes
During the strikes, Billy's loyalty to other workers puts his livelihood at risk, and anger places strain on his marriage. His strength cannot settle the pressures of hunger, lost wages and violence that enter their lives.
When Saxon proposes leaving Oakland, Billy fears the countryside because he knows horses and streets rather than crops. On the road, he begins learning about land and accepts that farming requires knowledge he does not yet possess.
Spørsmål
Who is Billy Roberts?
Billy Roberts is an Oakland teamster, former prizefighter and Saxon Brown's husband in The Valley of the Moon.
Why does Billy Roberts hesitate to leave Oakland?
He fears they may starve in the country because he has no experience growing crops. His increasing trust in Saxon's judgment helps him consider leaving.
Is Billy Roberts good-natured?
Yes, Billy is gentle with Saxon and loyal to his fellow workers. He also struggles with anger and drinking when their circumstances worsen.
