A Village Singer by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
"A Village Singer" by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman tells the poignant story of Candace Whitcomb, a long-time soprano in her village church choir who faces unexpected dismissal. As she grapples with feelings of betrayal and anger, the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of small-town dynamics and social relationships. After receiving a surprise visit from choir members and discovering her dismissal through a heartfelt photograph album, Candace defiantly resolves to disrupt the new soprano, Alma Way, during her performances. This act of rebellion leads to a fierce confrontation with her nephew, Wilson, who is engaged to Alma, and ultimately results in Candace facing the consequences of her actions. Throughout her final days, she reflects on her choices and relationships, revealing a complex character torn between pride and regret. The story touches on themes of aging, rivalry, and the struggle for identity within a close-knit community, all while illustrating the emotional turmoil experienced by a woman who has devoted much of her life to music and communal life. As Candace confronts her mortality, her spirit and sharp wit remain intact, adding depth to her character and making the narrative a rich exploration of personal dignity and conflict.
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A Village Singer by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
First published: 1889
Type of plot: Regional
Time of work: The 1880's
Locale: New England
Principal Characters:
Candace Whitcomb , the soprano in the church choir for forty yearsAlma Way , her replacement in the choirWilson Ford , her nephew and Alma's fiancéMrs. Nancy Ford , her sister and Wilson's widowed motherReverend Pollard , the minister of her churchWilliam Emmons , the choir leader
The Story
One Thursday, about eight o'clock in the evening, Candace Whitcomb receives a visit from all the members of the choir in which she has sung for forty years. They bring cake and oranges for what Candace thinks is a surprise party. After they leave, she finds a photograph album addressed to her from her many friends. Inside the album is a letter informing Candace that she has been dismissed from the choir.
Candace is angry at being discarded and at the way in which she was removed. The following spring Sunday is warm, so the little church at which Candace used to sing has opened all its windows. When Alma Way, the new soprano, begins her solo, Candace (whose cottage stands close to the church) begins playing loudly on her parlor organ and singing to drown out Alma's voice. All the members of the choir rally around Alma after the service to express their anger at Candace and their sympathy for the new soprano. The choir director and minister are particularly solicitous about the new singer and critical of her predecessor.
Reverend Pollard visits Candace to try to prevent any recurrence of such a disturbance. He finds that she is using the photograph album as a footstool, and when he suggests that she inadvertently sang a bit too loud during the morning service, she replies that she did so intentionally. She further informs him that she intends to continue to sing against her rival every Sunday. During that afternoon's service, Candace repeats her performance during Alma's solo.
Candace's nephew, Wilson Ford, loves Alma and hopes to marry her someday. Infuriated by his aunt's treatment of his fiancé, he rushes into Candace's cottage and threatens to throw her parlor organ out the window if she again disturbs Alma's singing. Candace replies by telling him that because of his outburst, she will rewrite her will to disinherit him. Then he will not have her money or her house, without which he will not be able to marry.
Candace will not, however, disrupt Alma's singing again. Her rebellion has so drained her that she becomes fatally ill. On the evening of her rebellion, she looks outside to see a fire in the distance consuming the spring foliage. This conflagration mirrors the fever that is destroying her. Her sister, Mrs. Nancy Ford, who comes to tend her, thinks that the illness is trivial. The wiser Candace knows that it is mortal. During her last week of life, she regrets her hostility to Reverend Pollard, and she asks her sister to brush off the photograph album to remove the signs of the function to which she initially consigned it. She tells her nephew that he can have her house and money, and she even asks Alma to sing a hymn for her: "Jesus, Lover of My Soul." Though dying and repentant, Candace's spirit has not been totally crushed; when Alma finishes her song, Candace's last words to her are, "You flatted a little on—soul."