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Cover of Ethel Hollister's Second Summer as a Campfire Girl

Ethel Hollister's Second Summer as a Campfire Girl

Written by Irene Elliott Benson

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Camp Fire Girls

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About this book

"Ethel Hollister's Second Summer as a Campfire Girl" by Irene Elliott Benson is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows Ethel Hollister as she navigates her transition from a sheltered life into one filled with personal growth and self-discovery through her experiences as a Campfire Girl. Central to Ethel's journey are themes of character development, friendship, social expectations, and the contrasts between wealth and humility, with her relationships deepening, especially with her mother and friends. The beginning of the novel introduces Ethel's background, outlining her privileged but somewhat troubled upbringing in New York. The narrative sets the stage with her overambitious mother, who is more concerned about social standing than genuine happiness, and Ethel's eventual invitation to engage in a summer with her Aunt Susan in Akron. There, Ethel's character begins to evolve through her interactions with other Campfire Girls and their camaraderie. As Ethel encounters challenges and reveals the secrets and struggles of her peers, including Mattie Hastings, the story hints at significant themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the awakening of Ethel’s true values in the face of societal norms.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Ethel Hollister's Second Summer as a Campfire Girl, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • uplifting
  • inspirational
  • wholesome

Irene Elliott Benson's "Ethel Hollister's Second Summer as a Campfire Girl" chronicles the profound transformation of its titular protagonist. Sheltered by her privileged New York upbringing and an overly ambitious mother, Ethel embarks on a summer with her Aunt Susan in Akron, Ohio, where she joins the Campfire Girls. Through this experience, Ethel sheds her superficial worldview, embracing personal growth, genuine friendship, and self-discovery. The novel explores the stark contrasts between societal expectations and authentic values, as Ethel learns humility and loyalty, particularly through her bond with fellow Campfire Girl, Mattie Hastings. Ultimately, it is a journey of moral awakening and the forging of a true character beyond the confines of wealth.

“It was not the silk of her dress that mattered, but the strength of the heart beating beneath it.”

Key themes

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery
This is the central theme, exploring Ethel's profound transformation from a sheltered, privileged, and somewhat superficial girl into a self-aware, empathetic, and morally grounded young woman. Her journey from New York to Akron, and her experiences with the Campfire Girls, force her to confront her own values and develop a stronger sense of self, independent of her family's social expectations.
Friendship and Community
The novel emphasizes the transformative power of genuine friendship and the strength found in community, particularly through the Campfire Girls organization. Ethel learns the values of loyalty, mutual support, and shared experiences, which contrast sharply with the isolated and competitive social environment of her past. Her bond with Mattie Hastings is a prime example of this theme.
Social Expectations vs. True Values
This theme explores the tension between the superficial demands of society, as personified by Ethel's mother's focus on wealth and status, and the intrinsic worth of virtues like humility, empathy, and integrity. Ethel's journey is largely about discerning between these two sets of values and ultimately choosing the latter, leading to her moral awakening.

Worth discussing

How does Ethel's initial environment in New York shape her character, and what does this suggest about the influence of upbringing?

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