THE TOAST TO FORTY-FIVE
Plot.
Initial Incident: On August 16, 1866, at Paris, Vermont, was held a banquet in honor of sixty-odd returned heroes. It was called the “Forty-Five” banquet in honor of the boys who had not returned. Captain Jack Fuller proposed to save one bottle of vintage, the seal of which should be broken when in the course of years only two of the sixty heroes remained. On their final reunion they would drink a toast to “Forty-Five.”
Steps toward Dramatic Climax: Captain Jack was the first to join Forty-Five. He left a son, who grew up, married, and died, leaving a son, young Jack Fuller.
In 1910, eleven heroes are living; by August 16, 1912, the ranks have dwindled to four old men. On August 17, 1912, Jack Fuller, grandson of Captain Jack of Civil War fame, in a drunken fit accidentally kills his baby. Sobered by the tragedy, he promises reformation. Succeeding months witness his hard struggle. He wishes, as a final safeguard, to join the National Guardsmen, but his wife, Betty, begs him to stay with her—she cannot bear alone the memories. Jack raises a company, becomes their captain, and drills them as Fuller’s Fire-eaters. (The Mexican trouble motivates this step.) In August, 1916, three of the Forty-Five are left: Henry Weston, Uncle Joe Fodder, and Wilber Nieson. In February, 1917, the United States severs relations with Germany. In July, half of Fuller’s Fire-eaters have been called upon to make up the Paris quota. Jack’s name has not been drawn; but he wishes to enlist, the more so as his men will enlist in a body, not waiting for the draft. Betty implores him to remain; as she breaks down physically, he is torn between love and duty. Wilber Nieson and Henry Weston die. Only Uncle Joe is left; the toast cannot be pledged, after all, as planned.
Jack makes up his mind to enlist with his whole Company—Minor Climax. A dinner is proposed for them in place of the old reunion. Hundreds of Parisians gather; the largest assembly hall obtainable is crowded. Sam Hod, editor, is toastmaster by virtue of having three sons in the Fire-eaters. Uncle Joe Fodder sits at his right. Captain Jack Fuller at his left. Hod announces that Uncle Joe has requested that the toast to Forty-Five be given under the present circumstances. Uncle Joe offers a toast to Captain Jack Fuller and his posterity.
Dramatic Climax: Jack’s glass is raised; as he hears the words of Uncle Joe, he sees his wife’s face. He pours out the wine and makes his toast with water.
Climax of Action: Betty sends Jack away—with a smile—and she goes to work at the box factory.
Details. Is there a constant struggle for one character, or does it shift from Jack to Betty?
Is there, accordingly, a stronger or a weaker effect? Is the action unified?
Did you find the time element confusing or anywhere difficult to follow?
What details mark the action as belonging particularly to Vermont?
How many themes do you find in the narrative? Are they brought into essential harmony? What purpose of the author interests you most? What does the author mean to convey in the recognition of Sam Hod and others that Jack’s toast is almost identical with his grandfather’s?
What do you think of the introduction and the emphasis on the wine? How does the following statement heighten interest?—“that liquor was consumed in the pledging of a toast.”
Why does the author add so long a conclusion after the story action has been completed? Is he wise to give the final place of emphasis to the sentence, “All over America her name is legion”? Why?