Rascal:作文②要約

Summary

           Rascal, which was published in 1963, is a lovable novel. Its story is about 11 year-old boy and his pet, a raccoon, Rascal, in Brailsford Junction, Wisconsin in 1918. Sterling North wrote this book autobiographically. Why did the author write about his boyhood and what is his message in Rascal? In this graduation thesis, I will analyze these questions showing the reasons why North wrote an autobiographic novel and why the story focused on Rascal.

           North was a writer, who wrote mainly fiction and biography of American great persons. He had seldom shown himself in his books till Rascal. North had spent so busy days as a journalist, a novelist, a book reviewer, and a biographer. After his children graduated their college, he reduced a volume of work, and then got more relaxed time. A few years later, the death of his father in 1962 made him start thinking about his memory. North noticed that he had to write his wonderful childhood with his family and the best friend in a book. In addition, the year, 1918, had some great events should be told to future generation: WWI, Spanish influenza, and the turning point of transport, from horses to cars. North decided to tell us a part of American history through his own story.

           Rascal is one of main characters in Rascal. There are three reasons to become main. First, North’s favorite animal was raccoons, so he wrote a raccoon story. Second, Rascal was the special and best friend for Sterling. Their memory was good to be novelized. Third, since Sterling and Rascal shared their much time, it was easy to connect to other memories: about Sterling’s family, hobbies, trips, and the pie-eating contest. Moreover, North was able to write also his mother’s words which were told him during her life and were reminded by Rascal’s action. Thanks to Rascal, the happiest boyhood year was all beautiful. At the end of the story, Sterling returned Rascal to the forest around Lake Koshkonong, wishing Rascal and his kits would live there for many pleasant years.

           We learn from Rascal 100 years ago American life and the importance to save the nature. By reading this book, the good old days North enjoyed will stay in our heart forever. Furthermore, Sterling and Rascal can play together forever, too, in a novel. Rascal is the masterpiece of Sterling North.