Gutenberg Articles

Appearance

Excerpt ​

Excerpt from The Village Watch-Tower, by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin

These days the name of Kate Douglas Wiggin is virtually unknown. But
if one mentions the title “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” recognition (at
least in America) is instant. Everyone has heard of Rebecca; her story
has been in print continuously since it was first published in 1903.
It is certainly Mrs. Wiggin's most famous book, and the only one of her
many books that is still in print. Everything else she wrote has slipped
into complete obscurity. Occasionally in an antique shop, one may
still find a copy of her immensely popular seasonal book, “The Birds'
Christmas Carol”, but that is about the extent of what is readily
available, even second-hand.

The Birds' Christas Carol is available as our Etext #721, Nov. 1996.

In 1904, Jack London wrote (from Manchuria!) to say that Rebecca had won
his heart. (“She is real,” he wrote, “she lives; she has given me many
regrets, but I love her.”) Some eighty years later I happened to pick
up and read “Rebecca” for the first time. The book was so thoroughly
enjoyable that when I had finished it, I began at once a search for
other works by the same author--especially for a sequel to “Rebecca”,
which seemed practically to demand one. There was never a sequel
written, but “The New Chronicles of Rebecca” was published in 1907, and
contained some further chapters in the life of its heroine. I had to be
satisfied with that, for the time being. Then, well over a year after
jotting down Mrs. Wiggin's name on my list of authors to “purchase on
sight”, I finally ran across a copy of “The Village Watch-Tower”; and it
was not even a book of which I had heard. It was first published in
1895 by Houghton, who published much of her other work at the time, and
apparently was never published again. Shortly thereafter I found a copy
of her autobiography.

Explanation ​

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Village Watch-Tower by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin ​

This excerpt is not a direct passage from The Village Watch-Tower itself but rather an introductory or contextual note—likely written by an editor, archivist, or literary commentator—about Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin’s literary legacy. The text discusses Wiggin’s obscurity in modern times, the enduring fame of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and the rarity of her other works, including The Village Watch-Tower. Below is a breakdown of its key elements, themes, and significance, with a focus on the text itself rather than the novel it introduces.

1. Context of the Excerpt ​

This passage appears to be part of a preface, introduction, or digital archive description (likely from Project Gutenberg, given the reference to "Etext #721"). It serves several purposes:

  • Literary rehabilitation: It attempts to revive interest in Wiggin’s lesser-known works by highlighting her once-popular status.
  • Historical framing: It situates Wiggin in the early 20th-century American literary landscape, noting how her reputation has faded except for Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.
  • Personal anecdote: The writer shares their own journey of discovering Wiggin’s works, adding a subjective, almost nostalgic tone.

The mention of Jack London’s praise (1904) and the 1990s rediscovery of Wiggin’s books creates a temporal contrast, emphasizing how literary fame is fleeting.

2. Themes in the Excerpt ​

While the excerpt is not fiction, it engages with several meta-literary themes:

A. The Ephemerality of Fame ​

  • The text opens with a stark observation: "These days the name of Kate Douglas Wiggin is virtually unknown." This immediately establishes the transience of literary reputation.
  • The contrast between Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (still in print) and her other works ("slipped into complete obscurity") suggests that only a single work can define an author’s legacy.
  • The phrase "Occasionally in an antique shop" reinforces the idea that most of her works are now relics, found only by chance.

B. The Power of a Single Work ​

  • Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is described as "her most famous book" and "the only one... still in print." This highlights how one breakthrough work can overshadow an entire body of literature.
  • The anecdote about Jack London’s admiration ("She is real, she lives") suggests that Rebecca had a profound emotional impact on readers, transcending its time.

C. The Thrill of Literary Discovery ​

  • The writer’s personal quest—"I began at once a search for other works"—frames reading as an adventure.
  • The mention of "jotting down Mrs. Wiggin's name on my list of authors to ‘purchase on sight’" evokes the romance of book collecting, a theme common in bibliophilic writing.
  • The serendipitous finding of The Village Watch-Tower ("I finally ran across a copy") mirrors the joy of uncovering a forgotten text.

D. The Role of Publishers in Literary Survival ​

  • The note that The Village Watch-Tower was "never published again" after 1895 implies that publishing decisions shape literary history.
  • The fact that Houghton (her publisher) did not reissue it suggests that market forces, not just quality, determine which books endure.

3. Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices ​

The excerpt employs several rhetorical and stylistic techniques to engage the reader:

A. Juxtaposition & Contrast ​

  • "Virtually unknown" vs. "instant recognition" (first sentence) creates a sharp contrast between Wiggin’s obscurity and Rebecca’s fame.
  • "Everything else... slipped into complete obscurity" vs. "The Birds' Christmas Carol... occasionally in an antique shop" emphasizes the scarcity of her other works.

B. Anecdotal Evidence ​

  • The Jack London quote serves as external validation of Rebecca’s quality, lending credibility to the claim of its enduring appeal.
  • The writer’s personal story ("I happened to pick up and read ‘Rebecca’ for the first time") makes the discussion relatable and intimate.

C. Irony & Understatement ​

  • The dry observation that "that is about the extent of what is readily available, even second-hand" is ironic, given Wiggin’s past popularity.
  • The phrase "I had to be satisfied with that, for the time being" is understated, masking the frustration of an incomplete literary quest.

D. Allusion & Cultural Reference ​

  • The mention of Jack London (a major literary figure) elevates Wiggin’s status by association.
  • The reference to "The New Chronicles of Rebecca" (1907) hints at reader demand for sequels, a common phenomenon in popular literature.

E. Temporal Shifts ​

  • The text moves between:
    • 1903 (publication of Rebecca)
    • 1904 (London’s letter)
    • 1907 (New Chronicles)
    • 1990s (the writer’s discovery) This non-linear timeline reinforces the idea of literary resurgence and rediscovery.

4. Significance of the Excerpt ​

A. For Wiggin’s Literary Legacy ​

  • The passage laments the fading of a once-beloved author, raising questions about why some books endure while others disappear.
  • It suggests that Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm may have eclipsed Wiggin’s other works unfairly, as readers assume it is her only notable book.

B. For Readers & Book Collectors ​

  • The text romanticizes the act of literary discovery, appealing to bibliophiles and fans of obscure literature.
  • It implies that forgotten books can be treasures, encouraging readers to seek out lesser-known works.

C. For Literary History ​

  • The excerpt documents the shift in literary tastes from the early 20th century to the late 20th century.
  • It serves as a meta-commentary on canon formation, asking why some authors are remembered while others are not.

D. For Digital Preservation (Project Gutenberg Context) ​

  • The mention of "Etext #721" suggests this was written for Project Gutenberg, an early digital archive.
  • The passage justifies the digitization of obscure works, arguing that texts like The Village Watch-Tower deserve preservation.

5. Connection to The Village Watch-Tower (Implied) ​

While the excerpt does not quote the novel itself, it hints at why The Village Watch-Tower might be worth reading:

  • Rarity: The fact that it was "never published again" makes it a literary curiosity.
  • Author’s Body of Work: Since Rebecca was so beloved, her other works might share similar themes (small-town life, childhood, optimism).
  • Historical Interest: As an 1895 text, it likely reflects late 19th-century American values and storytelling styles.

Conclusion: Why This Excerpt Matters ​

This passage is more than just an introduction—it is a meditation on literary immortality, the caprices of fame, and the joy of rediscovery. By framing Wiggin’s obscurity against the enduring popularity of Rebecca, the writer invites readers to:

  1. Reevaluate forgotten authors.
  2. Consider how literary reputations are made and lost.
  3. Engage in the thrill of uncovering "lost" books.

In essence, the excerpt does for Wiggin’s other works what it describes Rebecca doing for its readers—it makes them feel alive again.

Final Thought ​

If Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm was Wiggin’s "watch-tower"—a beacon of her talent—then this passage argues that her other works are hidden villages, waiting to be explored. The real question it leaves us with is: How many other "Rebeccas" are gathering dust in antique shops, unseen but not unworthy?