The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt

"The Marrow of Tradition" is a novel by Charles W. Chesnutt that explores the racial tensions in the American South during the late 19th century, particularly in the fictional town of Wellington, North Carolina. The story centers on the lives of two families: the white upper-class McBane family and the black Wright family. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a violent race riot, highlighting themes of racism, social injustice, and the struggle for dignity and equality. The characters navigate personal and societal conflicts, revealing the deep-seated prejudices and the complexities of race relations in post-Reconstruction America. The novel critiques the systemic oppression faced by African Americans and emphasizes the need for understanding and reconciliation.

By Charles W. Chesnutt · First published 1901 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary · 37 chapters · 107,901 words

First lines

I like you and your book, ingenious Hone! / In whose capacious all-embracing leaves / The very marrow of tradition's shown. / - Charles Lamb, "To the Editor of the Everyday Book"

"Stay here beside her, major. I shall not he needed for an hour yet. Meanwhile I'll go downstairs and snatch a bit of sleep, or talk to old Jane."

• Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

The Marrow of Tradition is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles W. Chesnutt, dated 1901 CE.

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

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Charles W. Chesnutt
• Date: 1901 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama, Southern Gothic
• Length: 107,901 words
• Structure: 37 chapters, 1,529 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt
• 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

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Genres

• Literary Fiction — The novel explores complex themes of race, identity, and social justice through rich character development and intricate narrative.
• Historical Fiction — Set in the post-Civil War South, it addresses historical events and societal issues of the time, providing a backdrop for the characters' struggles.
• Social Commentary — The book critiques social norms and injustices, particularly regarding race relations and the impact of systemic oppression.
• Drama — The narrative is driven by intense personal and social conflicts, showcasing the emotional and moral dilemmas faced by the characters.

Tags

Racism · Social Commentary · American Literature · Historical Fiction · Post-Reconstruction Era · Southern Gothic · African American Experience · White Supremacy · Jim Crow Laws · Violence and Conflict · Family Dynamics · Identity Crisis

Contents

• At Break of Day
• The Christening Party
• The Editor at Work
• Theodore Felix
• A Journey Southward
• Janet
• The Operation
• The Campaign Drags
• A White Man's "Nigger"
• Delamere Plays a Trump
• The Baby and the Bird
• Another Southern Product
• The Cakewalk
• The Maunderings of Old Mrs. Ochiltree
• Mrs. Carteret Seeks an Explanation
• Ellis Takes a Trick
• The Social Aspirations of Captain Mcbane
• Sany Sees his own Ha'Nt
• A Midnight Walk
• A Shocking Crime
• The Necessity of an Example
• How not to Prevent a Lynching
• Belleview
• Two Southern Gentlemen
• The Honor of a Family
• The Discomfort of Ellis
• The Vagaries of the Higher Law
• In Season and Out
• Muttering of the Storm
• The Missing Papers
• The Shadow of a Dream
• The Storm Breaks
• Into the Lion's Jaws
• The Valley of the Shadow
• "Mine Enemy, o Mine Enemy!"
• Fiat Justitia
• The Sisters

More by Charles W. Chesnutt

• The Conjure Woman (1889)
• All works by Charles W. Chesnutt