Summary
Jacob Have I Loved, Katherine Paterson's Newbery Medal-winning 1980 novel, explores the complex dynamics of sibling rivalry and self-discovery. Set on a small Chesapeake Bay island during World War II, the book follows Sara Louise Bradshaw as she grapples with feelings of resentment towards her twin sister, Caroline. This coming-of-age story tackles themes of jealousy, family relationships, and the search for identity. In 1989, the novel was adapted into a television film, starring Bridget Fonda as Sara Louise.
Plot
Set in the 1940s on a small Chesapeake Bay island, Jacob Have I Loved follows the story of Sara Louise Bradshaw, an adolescent girl struggling to find her identity in the shadow of her “perfect” twin sister, Caroline. Sara Louise, nicknamed “Wheeze” by her sister, resents Caroline's beauty, talent, and the attention she receives from family and community members. As the family works to support Caroline's musical education on the mainland, Sara Louise helps her father with his fishing business and forms a friendship with a local boy, McCall “Call” Purnell.
The arrival of Hiram Wallace, a former islander known as “the Captain,” brings new dynamics to Sara Louise's life. She develops a crush on the much older man, leading to tension with her grandmother. When a hurricane strikes the island, Sara Louise's bravery in rescuing the Captain goes unnoticed, while Caroline's charm continues to win praise. The economic hardships following the storm result in Caroline being offered a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school, furthering Sara Louise's feelings of resentment and jealousy.
As World War II progresses, Sara Louise takes on more responsibilities in her father's fishing business. After graduating high school, she awaits the return of her friend Call, hoping for a change in her life. However, Call's announcement of his engagement to Caroline shatters Louise's expectations. Encouraged by the Captain to pursue her own dreams, Sara Louise eventually leaves the island to study nursing. She settles in an Appalachian town, marries, and finds fulfillment in her career as a midwife, finally stepping out of her sister's shadow and discovering her own path in life.
Themes
Sibling rivalry and jealousy
Search for identity and self-discovery
Coming of age and personal growth
Family dynamics and expectations
Gender roles and societal constraints
Isolation and the desire to escape
Love, acceptance, and self-worth
Setting
Set in the early 1940s, Jacob Have I Loved unfolds against the backdrop of World War II on the fictional Rass Island in the Chesapeake Bay. This isolated fishing community off the coast of Maryland serves as a microcosm of rural American life during a time of global conflict. The island's economy revolves around the daily toil of the local fishermen who harvest oysters and crabs from the bay's rich waters.
The story's primary setting is the Bradshaw family home, a modest dwelling that reflects the islanders' humble lifestyle. Other key locations include the docks where the fishing boats moor and the island’s one-room schoolhouse and small church. The surrounding Chesapeake Bay plays a crucial role—its unpredictable waters both sustaining and threatening the islanders' way of life. A devastating hurricane that strikes the island serves as a pivotal moment in the story, underscoring nature's power over the community.
Beyond Rass Island, the novel briefly ventures to the mainland, where opportunities for education and cultural experiences exist. The stark contrast between island life and the broader world becomes evident when characters leave for schooling or military service. This juxtaposition of the insular island community with the rapidly changing outside world during wartime adds depth to the story's exploration of personal growth and societal expectations.
Characters
Sara Louise Bradshaw: The protagonist and narrator. An independent, hardworking young woman who feels overshadowed by her twin sister, Caroline, and struggles to find her own identity.
Caroline Bradshaw: Sara Louise's twin sister. Caroline is beautiful, talented, and favored by everyone, including family members, causing Sara Louise to feel resentment.
Truitt Bradshaw: The twins' father. A waterman who works hard to support his family on their small island.
Susan Bradshaw: The twins' mother. A former schoolteacher who settled on the island after marriage.
Grandma Bradshaw: The twins' grandmother. A stern, religious woman who often criticizes Sara Louise.
McCall “Call” Purnell: Sara Louise's friend who works on the water. He later marries Caroline after returning from the war.
Captain Hiram Wallace: An older man who returns to the island and becomes a father figure to Call and Sara Louise.
Trudy Braxton: An elderly neighbor who suffers a stroke and later marries Captain Wallace.
Quick facts
The book's title comes from a Bible verse in Romans 9:13, referencing the story of Jacob and Esau. It reflects Louise's feeling that, like Esau, she is the less-favored twin and reinforces the theme of sibling rivalry that runs throughout the novel.
Jacob Have I Loved won the Newbery Medal in 1981, marking Katherine Paterson's second time receiving this prestigious award.
Paterson has said that the character of Sara Louise was one of the most difficult for her to write, as she had to delve into feelings of deep resentment and jealousy.
The story is set on the fictional Chesapeake Bay island of Rass during World War II.
The main character's name, Sara Louise, is partially inspired by Paterson's own middle name, Louise.
Paterson drew on her experiences living in Maryland to create the novel’s setting and atmosphere.
Along with sibling rivalry, Jacob Have I Loved explores themes of self-discovery and the struggle to find one's place in the world.
The novel was adapted into a TV movie in 1989 as part of the WonderWorks anthology series. The film starred Bridget Fonda as Sara Louise and Jenny Robertson as Caroline.
Jacob Have I Loved has been translated into multiple languages and is taught in schools around the world.
In 2012, Jacob Have I Loved was ranked #43 on School Library Journal's list of all-time best children's novels.
About the Author
Katherine Paterson is an award-winning American author of numerous novels for children and young adults. Her best known works include Bridge to Terabithia (1977), which has been adapted into two feature films, and Jacob Have I Loved (1980).
Paterson was born in 1932 in China to missionary parents, and her family's experiences living in China and later fleeing during World War II significantly influenced her writing. Despite initial language difficulties upon returning to the United States, she went on to earn degrees in English and Christian education. She made her publishing debut in 1973 with The Sign of the Chrysanthemum. Since then, she has written more than 35 books, many of which tackle complex themes such as death, jealousy, and self-sacrifice.
Throughout her career, Paterson has received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to children's literature. She is one of only four authors to win both the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the two most significant international recognitions in the field. Additionally, she has twice won both the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award, cementing her status as one of the most accomplished authors in her genre. She served as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature from 2010 to 2011, promoting the importance of reading and literature for children across the United States, and remains an active advocate for literacy and education. She makes her home in Vermont.
