Summary
E.B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan tells the heartwarming tale of Louis, a trumpeter swan born without a voice. Published in 1970, this beloved novel explores themes of love, courage, and determination as Louis overcomes his disability through creativity and perseverance. E.B. White’s third and final book for children, The Trumpet of the Swan was a finalist for the National Book Award in 1971, won the William Allen White Children's Book Award in 1973, and continues to captivate and inspire young readers.
Plot
The Trumpet of the Swan tells the story of Louis, a trumpeter swan born without a voice. The tale begins in Canada, where Louis's parents build their nest on a small island. Sam Beaver, an 11-year-old boy, befriends the swan family after saving the mother from a fox attack. As Louis grows, his parents become concerned about his inability to trumpet like other swans.
Determined to help his son, Louis's father steals a brass trumpet from a music store in Montana. Meanwhile, Louis learns to read and write with Sam's help, but still struggles to communicate with other swans. He falls in love with a swan named Serena but can't attract her attention. Louis then learns to play the trumpet and gets a job as a camp bugler to earn money to pay for the stolen instrument.
Louis's musical talents lead him to success in Boston, where he performs with the Swan Boats, and later in Philadelphia, where he works at a nightclub. During his stay at the Philadelphia Zoo, Serena arrives, blown off course by a storm. Louis serenades her, winning her heart. However, they must escape when zookeepers try to clip Serena's wings. Sam helps negotiate their release, and the two swans return to the wild.
The story concludes with Louis repaying the music store for the stolen trumpet and window damage. His father delivers the payment but is injured in the process. After recovering, the swan family is reunited at Red Rock Lakes. Years later, Sam, now an adult, hears Louis's trumpet playing across a lake, bringing the tale full circle.
Themes
Overcoming disabilities and challenges
The power of perseverance and determination
The importance of self-expression and finding one's voice
The value of education and literacy
The beauty of nature and wildlife
The complexities of love and relationships
The balance between human society and the natural world
Setting
The Trumpet of the Swan opens in the spring of 1968 and is set primarily in the late 1960s. This era provides a backdrop of social change and technological advancement, though these themes are not explicitly explored in the children's novel.
Geographically, the story spans several locations across North America. It begins in the Canadian wilderness, where Louis is born on a small island in a pond. The narrative then moves to Montana's Red Rock Lakes, a winter refuge for the swan family. Other key settings include Sam Beaver's ranch, Camp Kookooskoos where Louis works as a bugler, and cities including Boston, Philadelphia, and Billings, Montana.
The contrast between natural and urban settings plays a significant role in the story. From the serene Canadian wilderness to the bustling streets of Boston and the confines of the Philadelphia Zoo, Louis's journey takes him through diverse environments. This variety of settings allows E.B. White to explore themes of adaptation and belonging, as Louis navigates both the wild habitats of his fellow swans and the human world where he seeks to overcome his disability.
Characters
Louis: The protagonist, a trumpeter swan born without a voice. Louis is intelligent, determined, and resourceful. He learns to read and write, and eventually learns to play the trumpet as a way to communicate. Louis falls in love with Serena and goes on various adventures to win her affection and prove his worth.
Sam Beaver: An 11-year-old boy who befriends Louis. Sam is kind, helpful, and understanding. He teaches Louis to read and write, and helps him find jobs to pay for the stolen trumpet. Sam remains a loyal friend to Louis throughout the story.
Serena: The beautiful female swan Louis falls in love with. Serena initially doesn't notice Louis due to his inability to trumpet but falls for him after hearing his musical talents.
The Cob: Louis's father, who is determined to help his son overcome his disability. He steals a trumpet for Louis and later returns to pay for it.
The Pen: Louis's mother, who is caring and supportive of her son.
A.G.: A boy at Camp Kookooskoos who initially dislikes birds but later befriends Louis after the swan saves him from drowning.
The Head Man: The person in charge at the Philadelphia Zoo. He agrees to let Louis and Serena go free after negotiating with Sam.
Quick facts
The Trumpet and the Swan was E.B. White's third and final children's novel.
The book was illustrated by Edward Frascino in its first edition, published in 1970.
The story is set primarily in Montana and Boston, with parts in Philadelphia and Canada.
The Trumpet and the Swan explores themes of overcoming disabilities, the power of education, and the importance of keeping one's word.
The Trumpet and the Swan was a finalist for the National Book Award for Children's Books in 1971.
The Trumpet and the Swan won the William Allen White Children's Book Award in 1973.
An unabridged audiobook version was recorded by E.B. White himself.
In 1972, composer Benjamin Lees created a musical piece based on the book for the Philadelphia Orchestra.
In 2001, The Trumpet of the Swan was adapted into an animated film by Rich Animation Studios and distributed by TriStar Pictures.
A “novel symphony” based on the book premiered in 2011, featuring performances by John Lithgow and Kathy Bates.
About the Author
E.B. White (1899-1985) was an American writer known for his beloved children's books Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web, and The Trumpet of the Swan. He began his career as a journalist, working for various publications before joining the staff of The New Yorker in 1927. White's contributions to the magazine, including essays, poems, and editorials, spanned nearly six decades and established him as one of America's preeminent literary figures.
In addition to his novels for children, White was recognized for his contributions to literature and language. He co-authored the influential style guide The Elements of Style with William Strunk Jr., which remains a staple in many writing courses. White's essays, collected in books such as One Man's Meat and The Essays of E.B. White, showcased his keen observations of daily life and his distinctive, elegant prose style.
Throughout his career, White received numerous accolades. In 1963, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President John F. Kennedy. He was awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal for his contributions to children’s fiction in 1970 and received the National Medal for Literature in 1971. In 1978, White was honored with a special Pulitzer Prize for his entire body of work. E.B. White passed away at the age of 86 at his farm in Maine, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence writers and readers of all ages.
