45 pages • 1 hour read
Betty G. BirneyThe Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1980A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Wonders
“Wonders” are the novel’s central motif and feature in the book’s title. The idea of wonders begins with a reference to the Seven Wonders of the World. Eben is inspired by these wonders, which for him represent “amazing things” as humanity’s greatest achievements. However, the remainder of the text complicates the meaning of wonders. Eben reads that a wonder is “a marvel[,] that which arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration” (9). This connects the idea of wonder to human emotions, suggesting that excitement and inspiration can be found in everyday life. Initially, Eben expects to find “big” things as wonders. Similarly, Jeb believes that “[a] rich person is more likely to have a Wonder than a poor one” (38), implying that rich people lead happier and more interesting lives. However, the story challenges this notion. Eben finds wonders among ordinary people who possess simple objects with special meaning.
The idea of wonders is reinforced by elements of magical realism and connects to The Importance of Imagination in Childhood. Many of the stories in the text resist rational explanation, containing magical and fairytale-like characteristics that underscore the creativity of children’s minds.
The motif also acquires a religious meaning in several stories, which characterize wonders as miracles from God. Mrs. Pritchard notes that a “miracle worked through [the] doll” that saved her from her illness (33). Calvin likewise suggests that his saw is a miracle and “a humble instrument of the Lord” (92). This connects the wonders to Christian beliefs, indicating that finding wonders is also a matter of faith.
Ultimately, finding wonders becomes a state of mind for Eben rather than a goal. Eben realizes that “small things” and ordinary places are also wonders because people and places have unique value in themselves. After discovering seven wonders in Sassafras Springs, Eben can start “noticing new ones every day” (195). In the end, Eben continues his quest for wonders in his town and beyond, suggesting that finding excitement in life is a continual process.
Christian Faith
A motif of Christian references permeates the novel, emphasizing the significance of faith for the characters. Eben grows up in a Catholic community and goes to Sunday school, and while his quest is inspired by the Seven Wonders of the World, it also acquires a religious dimension. His father prompts him to look for seven wonders in his hometown within seven days, echoing the seven days of creation in Genesis: “Seven days seems fair […]. Long as it took for God to create this world and take a day off” (10). Eben himself connects his quest to Christian values, especially when he asks his Sunday school teacher for wonders: “It was Mrs. Pritchard who’d taught me that Bible verse about asking and receiving, so I took a deep breath and summoned up a chunk of courage” (23). Through this lens, Eben’s journey becomes a quest to understand the beauty of life and creation.
The novel emphasizes the importance of faith through explicit biblical references. Calvin’s story about his saw, an “instrument of the lord” (92), alludes to the Book of Exodus and the plague of locusts in Egypt. As Calvin managed to repel the locusts with his saw playing, the text suggests that faith in God empowers people to confront hardships. Rae Ellen also refers to God in her story about God’s punishment of a cruel captain. As Rae Ellen notes of his arrogance: “And you know, Eben, it’s not a good idea to dare the Lord!” (146). Christian references are omnipresent in the text, presenting faith as a common bond among the community.
Sassafras Springs
Sassafras Springs is a symbol of the extraordinary in the everyday. Betty G. Birney suggests this at the beginning of the narrative: “Sometimes extraordinary things begin in ordinary places” (1). While Sassafras Springs is a small farming community with no “dots on the map” (1), it becomes Eben’s point of departure for exploration and discovery.
Initially, Sassafras Springs is mundane and monotonous for Eben. He asks, for example, “Why do all the barns in Sassafras Springs look the same?” (7). However, Eben’s view of Sassafras Springs changes as he embarks on his quest for wonders. Through the stories he hears, Eben discovers that ordinary people’s lives can have extraordinary value. This realization advances his transformation and his sense of belonging in the town, developing the theme of Finding a Sense of Place.
Uncle Alf’s wooden carving constitutes the final wonder in the story, emphasizing the symbolism of Sassafras Springs. The carving represents scenes of the past, present, and future, depicting the breadth and diversity of lives in town. Ultimately, Sassafras Springs symbolizes Eben’s home, which forms part of his identity and informs his outlook on the broader world.
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