The Thread of Gold by A.C. Benson

The Thread of Gold is a novel by A.C. Benson that explores the themes of love, class, and societal expectations. The story follows the character of Margaret, who is torn between her love for two men: one from a wealthy family and the other from a working-class background. As Margaret navigates these competing interests, she must also confront the societal pressures that dictate her choices. The novel is notable for its exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the ways in which social class can shape one's identity and opportunities. Benson's writing style is characterized by his use of vivid imagery and psychological insight, which adds depth and nuance to the characters and their experiences. Overall, The Thread of Gold is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that offers a powerful exploration of love, class, and identity in early 20th-century England.

By A.C. Benson · First published 1905 · Genre: Fiction, Adventure, Historical · 42 chapters · 66,531 words

First lines

Very deep in this enchanted land of green hills in which I live, lies a still and quiet valley. No road runs along it; but a stream with many curves and loops, deep-set in hazels and alders, moves brimming down. There is no house to be seen; nothing but pastures and little woods which clothe the hill-sides on either hand. In one of these fields, not far from the stream, lies a secluded spot that I visit duly from time to time. It is hard enough to find the place; and I have sometimes directed strangers to it, who have returned without discovering it. Some twenty yards away from the stream, with a ring of low alders growing round it, there is a pool; not like any other pool I know. The basin in which it lies is roughly circular, some ten feet across. I suppose it is four or five feet deep. From the centre of the pool rises an even gush of very pure water, with a certain hue of green, like a faintly-tinted gem.

• Open reader

Similar titles

• The Silent Isle by A. C. Benson
• At Large by A. C. Benson
• The Altar Fire by A. C. Benson
• Escape And Other Essays by A. C. Benson
• Joyous Gard by A. C. Benson
• The Upton Letters by A. C. Benson

Genres

• Fiction — The book tells a made-up, imaginative story that is not based in reality.
• Adventure — The book involves a journey and quest-like element, underlining the Adventure genre.
• Historical — The book is set in a particular historical period and context, making it part of the Historical genre.
• Romantic — There are elements of romance throughout the narrative, classifying it under the Romantic genre.

Tags

cannot · could · day · essays · even · full · god · great · heart · life · like · little

What this Textopian page supports

The Thread of Gold is listed on Textopian as a novel by A.C. Benson, dated 1905 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: A.C. Benson
• Date: 1905 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Historical, Romantic
• Length: 66,531 words
• Structure: 42 chapters, 552 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Thread of Gold by A.C. Benson
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Contents

• The Red Spring
• The Deserted Shrine, The Manor House
• Leucocholy
• The Flower
• The Fens
• The Well and the Chapel
• The Cuckoo
• Spring-time
• The Hare
• The Diplodocus
• The Beetle
• The Farm-yard
• The Artist
• Young Love
• A Strange Gathering
• The Cripple
• Oxford
• Authorship
• Hamlet
• A Sealed Spirit
• Leisure
• The Pleasures of Work
• The Abbey
• Wordsworth
• Dorsetshire
• Portland
• Canterbury Tower
• Prayer
• The Death-bed of Jacob
• By the Sea of Galilee
• The Apocalypse
• The Statue
• The Mystery of Suffering
• Music
• The Faith of Christ
• The Mystery of Evil
• Renewal
• The Secret
• The Message
• After Death
• The Eternal Will
• Until the Evening

More by A.C. Benson

• Out of the Sea (1920)
• Watersprings (1912)
• Where no fear was, a book about fear (1914)
• The altar fire (1907)
• At large (1908)
• From a college window (1906)
• The Upton Letters (1905)
• Escape and other essays (1917)
• All works by A.C. Benson