Colin Snow
Samantha is a character in the American Girl franchise, which includes books, movies, and dolls. Samantha Parkington, an orphan living with her grandmother in the fictional town of New Bedford, New York, in 1904, is the protagonist of the series. Samantha, who is adventurous and curious, befriends a servant girl named Nellie O'Malley, despite the social class divide. Samantha also has a mischievous streak and a lively imagination. The Samantha doll was first introduced in 1986 and was marketed as a Victorian Era doll, although the stories in which she appears are more accurately placed in the Edwardian or American Progressive Era.
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What You'll Learn
Samantha Parkington is an orphan
Samantha is interested in progress and new inventions and likes to read; her favourite book is The Wizard of Oz. She enjoys climbing trees and being outdoors, and she has a vivid imagination. She is also very well-to-do, and her life is rather sheltered. This causes some tension when she befriends Nellie, who is of a lower class and works for the family living next door to Samantha. Samantha teaches Nellie how to read and do arithmetic, and in return, Nellie teaches Samantha about class and poverty. Samantha also learns about the poor working conditions in factories and becomes bothered by the fact that Nellie doesn't go to school. So, she creates a "school" for Nellie.
Samantha's world includes individuals from various walks of life, such as Grandmary's seamstress, Jessie, who is a Black woman. When Jessie quits her job after having a baby, Samantha convinces Grandmary to let Jessie bring the baby to work with her. Samantha also has an annoying neighbour, Eddie Ryland, who often teases her and Nellie. Despite their differences, Samantha and Nellie become close friends, and Samantha even gives Nellie her doll, named after her mother, Lydia, to keep.
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She lives with her Grandmary in New Bedford, New York
Samantha Parkington, the Doll of the Month for November 2022, is a curious, adventurous, and well-to-do girl living in the fictional town of New Bedford, New York, in 1904. She lives in her Grandmary's mansion after her parents died in a boating accident when she was five years old. Samantha is interested in her parents and their lives, and she vaguely remembers them. She has a playful and mischievous personality, often sneaking off to places she shouldn't and standing up to her mocking neighbour, Eddie Ryland.
Samantha's world includes individuals from various walks of life, such as Grandmary's seamstress, Jessie, who is a Black woman. When Jessie quits her job unexpectedly, Samantha takes it upon herself to find her and inquire about the reasons for her departure. During her search, she discovers a segregated part of town where Black families live, and she learns about the realities of racial segregation. Samantha also has a best friend named Nellie O'Malley, who works for the family living next door. Nellie comes from a poorer background, and her difficult life serves as a contrast to Samantha's privileged upbringing.
In the story, Samantha's life takes an unexpected turn when Eddie gets a new servant, and she quickly befriends her, despite the social norms of her high-class society. Samantha discovers that Nellie hasn't received a formal education, which bothers her, so she takes it upon herself to create a "school" for Nellie. Through their friendship, Nellie teaches Samantha important lessons about class and poverty. Samantha is also interested in progress and new inventions, and she finds it challenging to adjust to changes within her family. She is generous and giving, as seen when she gifts her brand-new doll to Nellie soon after receiving it.
Samantha's story covers various facets of life in 1904, including class issues, education, and the blurring of social boundaries. Her adventures and experiences in New Bedford, New York, shape her character and provide a window into the past, making her a beloved doll and literary character.
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She befriends Nellie O'Malley, a servant
Samantha Parkington, an orphan living with her grandmother Grandmary in New Bedford, New York, befriends Nellie O'Malley, a servant working for the family living next door. Samantha is adventurous and well-to-do, and her life changes when her neighbour Eddie gets a new servant, Nellie. Samantha's friendship with Nellie becomes an issue in her high-class society, as it was considered in poor taste and unrefined for the wealthy to befriend those beneath their station. Despite this, Samantha is very giving and sees Nellie as an actual friend, not just someone of a lower class. She gifts her brand-new doll to Nellie soon after receiving it, and gives her time and support to help her with school. She also teaches Nellie reading and arithmetic.
Nellie and Samantha's friendship is depicted in several scenes. In one, they are sleeping outside together when they are woken up by Eddie, who mocks them and tries to extort them for money. In another, they are looking at the stars and Samantha gives Nellie a doll named after her mother, Lydia, asking Nellie to keep it if she goes away. They both make a wish on the same star and fall asleep. In another scene, Samantha defends Nellie when Eddie falsely accuses her of breaking a window.
Samantha and Nellie's friendship is also reflected in the blurring of class issues in the stories. For example, Nellie and her sisters would have likely not been adopted by another rich family, but Samantha's Uncle Gard marries Aunt Cornelia, and Samantha warms up to her after meeting her twin sisters and going on a summer vacation with them. Samantha also learns about poor working conditions in factories that she is told to appreciate in her own school. When she finds out that Nellie and her sisters have moved to New York City to be sent to a factory, Samantha risks it all to rescue Nellie.
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Samantha teaches Nellie reading and arithmetic
Samantha Parkington, the Doll of the Month for November 2022, is an adventurous and well-to-do girl living in her Grandmary's mansion in 1904 New York. Samantha's parents had died when she was five, and she had faint memories of them. She is curious, playful, and mischievous, often getting into trouble for sneaking off and climbing trees.
Samantha soon befriends her new neighbour Nellie O'Malley, who works for the family living next door. Nellie comes from a poorer background, and unlike Samantha, does not attend school. This bothers Samantha, so she decides to teach Nellie reading and arithmetic. She creates a "school" for Nellie, helping her catch up with other children her age. In return, Nellie teaches Samantha important lessons about class and poverty, giving her a different perspective on life.
Samantha is generous and giving, and she sees Nellie as a true friend rather than just someone to help. She gifts her brand-new doll to Nellie, saying it could be a companion. She also stands up for Nellie against their annoying neighbour Eddie Ryland, who often causes trouble for the girls.
Through her interactions with Nellie, Samantha learns about the poor working conditions in factories and the realities of poverty and class inequality in early 20th-century America. Despite the challenges, the two girls form a strong bond, wishing on stars together and sharing a bed at night. Samantha's world expands beyond her privileged upbringing as she gains a deeper understanding of the social issues of her time.
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She is curious, defiant, and adventurous
Samantha Parkington is a curious, defiant, and adventurous orphan girl living with her grandmother, Grandmary, in a mansion in 1904 New York. She is interested in how things are changing in her life, and her favourite book is The Wizard of Oz. Samantha is adventurous and enjoys being outdoors, climbing trees, and exploring places she shouldn't be. She is also bold, mischievous, playful, and loyal.
Samantha's curiosity leads her to ask a lot of questions, often challenging the status quo. She is particularly interested in her parents, who died in a boating accident when she was five, and she wants to learn more about their lives. She is also curious about the lives of those around her, such as Jessie, Grandmary's seamstress, and is determined to find out why Jessie suddenly quit her job.
Samantha is defiant when she feels she has been wronged. For example, she stands up to her mocking neighbour, Eddie Ryland, and refuses to be intimidated by him. She also has a strong sense of justice and is willing to break the rules to do what she thinks is right. When she learns that her new friend Nellie O'Malley doesn't go to school, Samantha creates a "school" for her, teaching her reading and arithmetic. In doing so, she also learns about the poor working conditions in factories that she is told to appreciate in her own school.
Samantha's adventurous spirit leads her to take risks to help those she cares about. When she finds out that Nellie and her sisters have moved to New York City to live in an orphanage and work in a factory, Samantha risks everything to rescue Nellie. She is also adventurous in her imagination, often thinking fancifully and playfully about the world around her.
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Frequently asked questions
Lydia.
They died in a boating accident when she was five years old.
Samantha: An American Girl Holiday is about Samantha Parkington, an adventurous well-to-do girl who lives in her Grandmary's mansion in 1904 New York.
Eddie is an annoying neighbour who mocks Samantha and her friend Nellie.
Samantha Malcolm.
