Final answer:
Tom and Anne have different goals for their farms, with Tom likely aiming to expand, as seen in his interest in buying more cows, similar to a bonanza farm. Anne's distress suggests a preference for maintaining a smaller scale of operation. This reflects historical themes of economic tension between large-scale and family-run farms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the different goals that Tom and Anne have for managing their farms, as demonstrated in the provided paragraphs. Tom appears to be focused on expanding his operations, which is indicated by the mention of him wanting another barn, possibly to buy more cows, hinting at a growth strategy similar to that of the large, commercial bonanza farms. In contrast, Anne shows signs of gentle distress at the idea of expanding, possibly indicating a desire to maintain a smaller, more traditional family-run farm. The excerpt that talks about women successfully managing farms during times of war further supports the notion that smaller farms can be effectively managed and can even prosper despite challenges.
The varying ambitions of Tom and Anne can be associated with larger historical themes around farming. The rise of bonanza farms and their successful use of economies of scale contrast with the often-struggling small family farms, revealing an underlying contradiction between agriculture as a way of life and agriculture as a business venture. This tension between different agricultural models reflects broader economic and social dynamics, which sometimes led to economic busts.
The historical context further enriches the understanding of these characters' goals, with large commercial farms thriving on the back of technological advancements and consolidation, while smaller family enterprises faced different challenges and needed to be more adaptive and sustainable, as indicated in Chapter 20 of a text, presumably dealing with the chemistry used in farming. This dichotomy points to a broader conversation about the sustainability of different farming practices and their economic implications throughout history.