The Skates of Uncle Richard by Carol Elizabeth Fenner
"The Skates of Uncle Richard" by Carol Elizabeth Fenner is a didactic children's story centered on a young black girl named Marsha, who dreams of becoming a figure skater despite feeling clumsy and awkward. The narrative begins with Marsha's escapism through daydreams and television, particularly her admiration for figure skating, juxtaposed with her struggles, including ridicule from her older brother, Leonard. As the story progresses, Marsha receives a heavy pair of skates for Christmas, which she initially finds disappointing but decides to try out at the lagoon, leading to initial failure and self-doubt.
However, the arrival of Uncle Richard brings a turning point; he encourages Marsha and offers practical skating advice, instilling hope and motivation in her. The story emphasizes themes of self-worth and perseverance, portraying Marsha’s journey from a dreamer to someone actively pursuing her goals. Set against a backdrop of realistic family dynamics, including economic difficulties and complex relationships, the book resonates with young readers, particularly girls of diverse backgrounds. It serves as an inspiring tale about courage, making it a valuable choice for bibliotherapy, where literature can help young readers navigate their own challenges.
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The Skates of Uncle Richard by Carol Elizabeth Fenner
First published: 1978; illustrated
Type of work: Domestic realism
Themes: Sports, race and ethnicity, family, and friendship
Time of work: The 1970’s and the 1980’s
Recommended Ages: 10-13
Locale: An ice-covered lagoon in Michigan
Principal Characters:
Marsha , a chubby, clumsy, black nine-year-old with dreams of becoming a thin, graceful ice skaterMarsha’s Mother , who tells Marsha that skates can come after she learns to stop being clumsy, who complains about her brother Richard’s infrequent visits, and who gives Marsha the black skates once belonging to RichardLeonard , Marsha’s elder brother who calls her “Fatty,” changes the television station when Marsha is watching figure skating, and is generally unsupportive of his sisterUncle Richard , who finally appears on the scene and lovingly gives Marsha the first lessons she needs
The Story
The Skates of Uncle Richard, a didactic story, shows Marsha’s progress from a clumsy, chubby black child to a girl who makes her first efforts toward becoming the dazzling figure skater of her fantasies. Marsha, at the beginning of the story, is a dreamer. She escapes from her chubbiness and feelings of awkwardness by watching television—especially figure skating—and daydreaming of one day becoming a champion ice skater. To escape the ridicule of Leonard, her elder brother, Marsha imagines her future performances with her brother attending and regretting ever having called her names.
Marsha goes with Leonard to the lagoon on one of his rare days of being kind. Although she runs and skids about in her boots, Marsha believes that her goal of being a beautiful, champion skater is quite distant. Marsha’s mother asks her not to drop things and to be less clumsy. Because of Marsha’s success, for Christmas her mother gives her a heavy pair of black skates from the attic. Although Marsha is disappointed with the style and color of the skates, she accompanies Leonard to the la-goon. Through foreshadowing, Fenner gives a hint of the trouble that is to come. “All sizes of shoes and boots were scattered near the benches on the bank. To Marsha they looked cold and lonely sitting in the snow....Marsha felt a shiver of fear nip and tremble in her stomach.” Fenner displays limited omniscience when she describes Marsha’s thoughts and feelings after her initial failure at ice skating. “She wanted to go home, but she didn’t know how she would ever get back across the ice. . . . She dropped her head, full of cold and misery.”
When things seem at their worst, Uncle Richard appears to encourage and give Marsha some hints on how to lace the skates, how to push and glide, and how to rest her ankles. Uncle Richard praises Marsha profusely and makes a promise to return the next week in order to give Marsha another lesson. He is also hopeful that he can put himself back in his sister’s good graces. The book ends with some last-minute instructions for Marsha to oil the skates’ runners. The reader senses that Marsha has become a more dynamic character, who is ready to take her destiny into her own hands and achieve her goals.
Context
Carol Fenner’s The Skates of Uncle Richard fits into the tradition in children’s literature of a young protagonist achieving a sense of self-worth through sports. Strictly in the ice-skating realm itself is Mary Mapes Dodge’s Hans Brinker: Or, The Silver Skates (1865), which is another story of a skater who was daring enough to try. Dodge’s work was a landmark in the history of children’s literature for its realism, and The Skates of Uncle Richard follows in this vein. Marsha’s family is presented as realistic and not at all as an example of perfectionism. Because of this realism, a young adult reader finds it easy to relate to this story. For example, Marsha’s mother supports her family alone and is not economically well-to-do, Marsha’s brother treats his younger sister badly, and Uncle Richard is estranged from the family, circumstances that are not unfamiliar to the young adult reader.
The Skates of Uncle Richard is an excellent book for bibliotherapy—treating problems with books. Young girls of all colors can learn from Marsha, who dares to try and not merely to dream of success. Older females who wish to read of black girls who also have the courage to try may wish to read Louise Fitzhugh’s Nobody’s Family Is Going to Change (1974), which focuses on Emma, who wishes to be a lawyer.