Jessie Carlton The Story of a Girl who Fought with Little Impulse, the Wizard, and Conquered Him

by Daniel Wise

"Jessie Carlton; The Story of a Girl Who Fought with Little Impulse, the Wizard" by Francis Forrester is a children's novel written in the mid-19th century. The story revolves around the young protagonist, Jessie Carlton, who grapples with impulses that tempt her away from her commitments and responsibilities. Through her interactions with family members, particularly her uncle and her cousin Emily, Jessie learns valuable lessons about honesty, perseverance, and the importance of character. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Jessie, a bright and imaginative girl living at Glen Morris Cottage. In her efforts to finish various sewing projects, Jessie finds herself easily distracted by her whims, referred to as the mischievous "wizard" called Impulse. The opening chapter sets the stage for Jessie's internal struggle between her desire to be productive and the whimsical distractions that lead her to abandon her work. We see her playful interactions with her uncle and siblings, as well as hints of conflict arising from her cousin Emily's more willful nature, hinting that Jessie's journey will involve overcoming both external challenges and her own impulsive tendencies.