What She Could

"What She Could" by Susan Warner is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds in a comfortable and respectable household, focusing on the lives of several young girls and their interactions within the community, particularly concerning their religious commitments and friendships. Central to the narrative are sisters Maria and Matilda, who grapple with the expectations of growing up, the desire to be good, and the significance of their roles within their church community. The opening of the book introduces us to the Englefield family, highlighting the children's lives and their connection to the Sunday School. After attending a meeting led by Mr. Richmond, the girls discuss their eagerness to form a group dubbed the "Sunday-School Working Band," with Maria enthusiastically sharing her experiences while Matilda is depicted as more contemplative and uncertain. As the sisters engage in playful banter about their responsibilities and aspirations, the narrative sets the stage for deeper explorations of faith, duty, and personal growth, especially through Matilda's evolving relationship with Mr. Richmond, who encourages her to confront her apprehensions about service and faith head-on. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Susan Bogert Warner was an American Presbyterian writer of religious fiction, children's fiction, and theological works. She is best remembered for her massive bestseller The Wide, Wide World. Her other works include Queechy, The Hills of the Shatemuc, Melbourne House, Daisy, Walks from Eden, House of Israel, What She Could, Opportunities, and House in Town. Warner and her sister, Anna, wrote a series of semi-religious novels that had extraordinary sales, including Say and Seal, Christmas Stocking, Books of Blessing, and The Law and the Testimony.