Mrs. Brumby by Anthony Trollope

Name: Mrs. Brumby
Author: Anthony Trollope

Mrs. Brumby by Anthony Trollope is a novel that explores the complexities of marriage and social status in Victorian England. The story follows the life of Emily Brumby, a middle-aged woman who finds herself caught between her loyalty to her husband and her growing attraction to a younger man. As she navigates this difficult situation, Mrs. Brumby must confront the societal expectations placed upon her as a married woman and the limitations placed on her personal freedom. Through its nuanced portrayal of character and society, Mrs. Brumby offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.

By Anthony Trollope · First published 1878 · Genre: Satire, Social Commentary, Feminist Literature · 11,439 words

First lines

We think that we are justified in asserting that of all the persons with whom we have been brought in contact in the course of our editorial experiences, men or women, boys or girls, Mrs. Brumby was the most hateful and the most hated. We are sure of this -- that for some months she was the most feared, during which period she made life a burden to us, and more than once induced us to calculate whether it would not be well that we should abandon our public duties and retire to some private corner into which it would be impossible that Mrs. Brumby should follow us. Years have rolled on since then, and we believe that Mrs. Brumby has gone before the great Judge and been called upon to account for the injuries she did us. We know that she went from these shores to a distant land when her nefarious projects failed at home. She was then by no means a young woman.

What this Textopian page supports

Mrs. Brumby is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anthony Trollope, dated 1878 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: 1878 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Social Commentary, Feminist Literature, Historical Fiction, Comedy
Length: 11,439 words
Structure: 1 section, 89 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Work identity for Mrs. Brumby by Anthony Trollope
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Satire — Anthony Trollope's 'Mrs. Brumby' is well known for its satirical undertones, ridiculing societal norms and expectations especially in regards to gender and domestic life.
Social Commentary — The story provides an insightful view of Victorian societal norms, class structuring, and the status of women, thus forming a critical social commentary of the time.
Feminist Literature — The protagonist's struggle against societal norms, and her determination to gain control over her own life can be interpreted as feminist themes, making the book a potential candidate for feminist literature.
Historical Fiction — While it's not a conventional historical narrative, 'Mrs. Brumby', by accurately representing the Victorian society and its customs, falls under the category of historical fiction.