The Trials and Triumphs of Hitty

Resilience and perseverance shine brightly in Hitty: Her First Hundred Years. Field masterfully weaves themes of optimism and hope throughout the tale. From the dawn of her creation, Hitty encounters situations demanding immense patience. Just days after the old peddler carves her from mountain-ash and Phoebe sews her wardrobe, Hitty is lost inside a church—a place no doll belongs, smuggled in by Phoebe. Many of Hitty's challenges stem from children's mischievous or rebellious antics. Accidentally dropping from Phoebe's muff, Hitty spends frigid, solitary days on the church floor. When Phoebe owns up to her mischief, Andy, the diligent chore-boy, retrieves Hitty. During her church captivity, bats terrify her as they flit past, their wings brushing against her. A nearby illustrated Bible opened to "the most painful picture of a man being swallowed by a large fish" adds to her discomfort. In a moment of desperation, Hitty attempts to capture the sexton's attention by clumsily stomping her feet—a feat that only scares him away but fills her with a giddy sense of pride at her unintended impact.

Hitty discovers her ability to withstand and find joy in adversity, whether whisked away by a crow to a nest or accompanying a Hindu snake charmer throughout India. Despite frequent discomfort, her circumstances inevitably improve. Hitty cherishes belonging to a little girl, although not all possess the charm of Phoebe Preble. Little Thankful, a missionary's daughter in India, embarrassed by Hitty's plainness compared to other dolls, hides her deep within sofa cushions for years. Later, Sally Loomis, a Mississippi steamboat captain's daughter, steals Hitty from a cotton exposition showcase. After hearing a preacher's passionate sermon on sin and witnessing river baptisms, Sally casts Hitty into the water, where she drifts like Moses among the bulrushes until rescued.

New Beginnings and Lasting Connections

As the novel concludes, Hitty resides in an antique shop, crafting her memoirs with a quill. Each customer's arrival fills her with anticipation, each one a potential harbinger of new escapades. She dreams of taking flight, "since the world is always arranging new experiences for us." Ever ready, she eagerly awaits the adventures another century might bring.

Hitty, a lady of notable quality and character, is the novel's heart. Around her revolve characters as captivating as the adventures she embarks upon. The Preble family holds a special place, profoundly shaping Hitty’s character and maintaining their importance even after she parts from them. Phoebe, her first owner, along with her parents and almost-brother Andy, the chore-boy, form this familial core. Mrs. Preble, a loving yet strict mother, endeavors to instill timeless virtues and morality in Phoebe, a discipline that leaves its mark on Hitty as well. Memories of Mrs. Preble's concerns, such as Phoebe donning breeches aboard the whaling ship, often resurface in Hitty’s thoughts.

Opposite Mrs. Preble's stern nature stands Captain Preble, a good-humored contrast who embraces life’s lighter side. To Hitty, Phoebe epitomizes the perfect child; no other owner measures up. However, Clarissa Pryce, a little Quaker girl from Philadelphia, comes close, providing Hitty with several joyous years in her care.