Mary Gresley by Anthony Trollope
Mary Gresley is a character in Anthony Trollope's novel "The Eustace Diamonds." She is a young woman who is the daughter of a poor but respectable family. Despite her humble origins, Mary is intelligent and ambitious, and she dreams of marrying well and improving her social status. However, her plans are complicated when she falls in love with a man who is already engaged to be married to someone else. Mary's story serves as a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women during the Victorian era, and it highlights the limitations placed on their choices and opportunities.
By Anthony Trollope · First published 1879 · Genre: Victorian Literature, Romance, Drama · 12,254 words
First lines
We have known many prettier girls than Mary Gresley, and many handsomer women -- but we never knew girl or woman gifted with a face which in supplication was more suasive, in grief more sad, in mirth more merry. It was a face that compelled sympathy, and it did so with the conviction on the mind of the sympathiser that the girl was altogether unconscious of her own power. In her intercourse with us there was, alas! much more of sorrow than of mirth, and we may truly say that in her sufferings we suffered; but still there came to us from our intercourse with her much of delight mingled with the sorrow; and that delight arose, partly no doubt from her woman's charms, from the bright eye, the beseeching mouth, the soft little hand, and the feminine grace of her unpretending garments; but chiefly, we think, from the extreme humanity of the girl. She had little, indeed none, of that which the world calls society, but yet she was preeminently social.
What this Textopian page supports
Mary Gresley is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anthony Trollope, dated 1879 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Anthony Trollope
- Date: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Victorian Literature, Romance, Drama
- Length: 12,254 words
- Structure: 1 section, 107 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Victorian Literature — The book was written during the Victorian era by a prominent Victorian author, Anthony Trollope. The story, settings, and its characters are typical of this period.
- Romance — A significant theme in the book is the romantic relationship between Mary Gresley and Mr. Paul.
- Drama — The book involves various dramatic incidents, tensions, and conflicts related to Mary Gresley's life and relationships.
Tags
Victorian · literature · social commentary · romance · class struggle · gender roles · family dynamics · moral dilemmas · character development · English society · friendship · betrayal