Sunshine Sketches is considered to be one of the most enduring classics of Canadian humourous literature. It was published in 1912 and recounts the adventures of people living in the fictional town of Mariposa which is modelled on Leacock’s experiences in the Town of Orillia on the shores of Lake Simcoe in Ontario.
Many of the characters, though modelled on townspeople of Orillia, are small town archetypes. Their shortcomings and weaknesses are presented in a humorous but affectionate way. Often, the narrator exaggerates the importance of the events in Mariposa compared to the rest of the world. For example, when there is a country-wide election, “the town of Mariposa, was, of course, the storm centre and focus point of the whole turmoil.”
The following characters play are interwoven through the set of twelve stories of Sunshine Sketches:
- Josh Smith, proprietor of Smith’s Hotel, one of the leading citizens of the town.
- Jefferson Thorpe, owner of the barber shop, who engages in mining speculations.
- Golgotha Gingham, the undertaker, to whom people are less interesting when still alive.
- Dean Rupert Drone, reverend of the “Church of England Church,” who has to deal with the debt from building a new church.
- Peter Pupkin, a bank teller who loves the Judge’s daughter.
- Zena Pepperleigh, Judge Pepperleigh’s daughter. She likes to read romantic stories.
- Dr. Gallagher, collector of Indian relics and student of Canadian history.
- Mr Hussell, journalist for the Mariposa Newspacket.
- Christie Johnson, captain of the Mariposa Belle.
- Henry Mullins, manager of the Mariposa Exchange Bank.
- Narrator, an unreliable narrator, whose descriptions of the town are biased or absurd.