Lonely Places by Blanche Colton Williams
Blanche Colton Williams’s study of “Lonely Places” examines Mr. Buzzell’s story as a carefully constructed work of realism, emphasizing its sustained point of view and causal treatment of events. It quotes Buzzell on beginning with atmosphere—lonely houses, seasonal landscape, and a remembered family home—and traces how he developed Abbie Snover, Old Chris, the children, gossip, and the orange tree into a plot that heightens isolation. Williams contrasts this method with a hypothetical romantic treatment, especially in the handling of Abbie’s final journey and the reader’s foreknowledge of Old Chris’s death. The section also directs readers to assess Mrs. Perry’s viewpoint, the struggle’s active and passive phases, plot stages, atmosphere, contrast, and the story’s sympathy for Abbie.
By Blanche Colton Williams · First published 1919 · Genre: Literary Analysis, Literary Criticism, Literary Essay · 977 words
First lines
GENERAL. A technically well-wrought piece of realism, both in its adherence to the point of view, and in the rationalization of events. When it was first published, it bore the (editorial) sub-title, "A Story of Woman's Inhumanity to Woman. " "I assure you," says Mr. Buzzell, "that woman's inhumanity to woman never entered my mind in writing this story. If readers find a moral in any of my stories they can have it without question; I didn't put it there and I'll lay no claim to it. " What does this statement indicate with regard to Mr. Buzzell's ideas of art?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Analysis — The section closely examines narrative viewpoint, plot development, atmosphere, characterization, and disclosure.
- Literary Criticism — Williams evaluates the work’s realism and contrasts its methods with an imagined romantic alternative.
- Literary Essay — The study combines quoted author commentary with interpretive discussion and analytical prompts.
- Non-Fiction — It is an instructional critical section rather than the fictional narrative under discussion.
Tags
Blanche Colton Williams · Lonely Places · Mr. Buzzell · realism · point of view · plot construction · atmosphere · Abbie Snover · Old Chris · gossip · dramatic disclosure · romanticism contrast
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Lonely Places is listed on Textopian as an essay by Blanche Colton Williams, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Blanche Colton Williams
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Analysis, Literary Criticism, Literary Essay, Non-Fiction
- Length: 977 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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