Summary
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, an iconic children’s novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin, was first published in 1903. The story follows the adventures of Rebecca Randall, a 10-year-old girl sent to live with her aunts in rural Maine. Known for its charming portrayal of small-town life and its spirited young protagonist, the book has become a beloved classic.
Plot
Rebecca Rowena Randall, a spirited and imaginative 10-year-old girl, is sent from her impoverished family's Sunnybrook Farm to live with her two spinster aunts in the quiet town of Riverboro. Rebecca's father has died, leaving the family in debt, and her mother hopes that living with her aunts will provide Rebecca with better opportunities. Upon arrival, Rebecca's lively personality immediately clashes with her stern Aunt Miranda's expectations, while her gentler Aunt Jane becomes her protector and ally.
As Rebecca adjusts to life in Riverboro, she forms friendships with locals like the Cobbs and her schoolmate Emma Jane Perkins. Her creative energy and bright intelligence begin to win over the townspeople, including a young businessman named Adam Ladd, who takes an interest in her education. Throughout her time in Riverboro, Rebecca strives to meet her Aunt Miranda's rigid standards while maintaining her unique spirit. She excels in school, particularly in English, and eventually attends high school in nearby Wareham.
The novel concludes with Rebecca as a young woman, still possessing her high spirit and now showcasing a talent for writing. When her mother has an accident, Rebecca returns home to care for her and the farm. During her absence, Aunt Miranda passes away, leaving Rebecca the Sawyer house and land. A railway company's offer to buy Sunnybrook Farm provides financial security for Rebecca's family. With an inheritance from Aunt Miranda, Rebecca finds herself an independent woman capable of helping her siblings and pursuing her own dreams.
Themes
Coming of age and personal growth
The power of imagination and creativity
Overcoming adversity and poverty
The importance of education and self-improvement
Family relationships and responsibilities
The clash between tradition and progress
The transformative power of kindness and optimism
Setting
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is set in the late 19th century, during America's Gilded Age. This era was characterized by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and social change, particularly in the northeastern United States where the story takes place. The novel captures the transition from rural to urban life that many Americans experienced during this period.
The broader geographical setting is the state of Maine, with most of the action occurring in the fictional town of Riverboro. Kate Douglas Wiggin paints a vivid picture of small-town New England life, complete with its close-knit community, one-room schoolhouse, and the importance of church and social gatherings. The story begins at Sunnybrook Farm, Rebecca's impoverished childhood home, before moving to the more prosperous brick house of her spinster aunts in Riverboro.
Within Riverboro, several specific locations play important roles in Rebecca's coming-of-age story. These include the Sawyer sisters' brick house, which represents a world of order and gentility foreign to Rebecca's upbringing; the local school, where Rebecca's intellect and creativity flourish; and the town's various shops and gathering places, which serve as backdrops for Rebecca's adventures and social interactions. Through these settings, Wiggin explores themes of rural versus urban life, tradition versus progress, and the changing role of women in American society.
Characters
Rebecca Rowena Randall: The imaginative, cheerful protagonist who is sent to live with her aunts at age 10. She brings joy and liveliness to Riverboro with her optimistic spirit.
Aunt Miranda Sawyer: Rebecca's stern, rigid aunt who aims to raise Rebecca as a proper young lady. She is often critical but ultimately warms to Rebecca.
Aunt Jane Sawyer: Rebecca's kind-hearted aunt who acts as a buffer between Rebecca and Miranda. She teaches Rebecca domestic skills and appreciates her niece's lively nature.
Emma Jane Perkins: Rebecca's best friend and schoolmate in Riverboro. She is more reserved than Rebecca but loyal and supportive.
Adam Ladd: A young businessman who takes an interest in Rebecca's education and future. Rebecca nicknames him “Mr. Aladdin."
Jeremiah and Sarah Cobb: A kind couple who first encounter Rebecca on her journey to Riverboro and are charmed by her personality.
Mrs. Randall: Rebecca's widowed mother, who sends her to live with her aunts due to financial hardship.
Hannah Randall: Rebecca's older sister, who remains at Sunnybrook Farm to help their mother.
Quick facts
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm was first published in 1903 and became an instant bestseller.
The story is set in the fictional town of Riverboro, Maine.
Author Kate Douglas Wiggin based some elements of the story on her own childhood experiences in rural Maine.
Rebecca's full name is Rebecca Rowena Randall, inspired by characters from Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe.
The novel popularized the name “Rebecca” in the early 20th century.
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is considered a classic for its portrayal of a spirited female protagonist, its enduring themes, and its portrayal of rural American life in the early 20th century.
Wiggin wrote a sequel called New Chronicles of Rebecca in 1907. Additionally, her grand-nephew Eric Wiggin wrote updated versions of several Rebecca books.
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm has been adapted into three major films, including a 1938 version starring Shirley Temple.
A stage adaptation of the novel debuted on Broadway in 1909.
An anime short film adaptation was created in 2020 as part of Japan’s Anime Tamago project.
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm has never been out of print since its original publication more than a century ago.
About the Author
Kate Douglas Wiggin (1856-1923) was an American author and educator best known for her classic children's novel Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Born in Philadelphia, Wiggin devoted her life to improving children's welfare through education and literature in an era when child labor was commonplace. She founded the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878 and established a training school for kindergarten teachers with her sister Nora.
Wiggin began writing fiction as a means to raise funds for her educational endeavors. Her early works, including The Story of Patsy and The Birds' Christmas Carol, gained immediate success. She went on to write numerous books for both children and adults, often drawing inspiration from her experiences in rural Maine. In addition to her literary pursuits, Wiggin was a talented musician and composer. She wrote lyrics, music, and arrangements for children's song collections and composed music for adult works as well.
Wiggin's legacy endures through her timeless stories. Many of her novels were made into films, with the 1938 adaptation of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm starring Shirley Temple being particularly notable. Her autobiography, My Garden of Memory, was published posthumously, offering insights into the life of this influential author and educator who championed children's rights and welfare.
