The South Breaker. By Harriet Prescott Spofford
The narrative follows the tumultuous lives of three characters: Dan, Georgie, and Faith, set against the backdrop of a coastal community. Dan, a laborer, is deeply connected to Faith, a girl he rescued from a shipwreck, and they eventually marry. However, their relationship is strained by Faith's fragility and her inability to adapt to domestic life. Georgie, a childhood friend of Dan, harbors unspoken feelings for him, complicating their dynamic. The story escalates when a storm strikes while the trio is sailing, leading to a dramatic incident where Faith is thrown overboard. Dan and Georgie work together to save her, showcasing their bravery and deep bond. After the storm, Faith's health deteriorates, and she becomes increasingly distant, leading to tension between her and Dan. Meanwhile, a charming stranger, Gabriel, enters their lives, igniting jealousy and further complicating the relationships. As the narrative unfolds, themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggle for identity emerge. The characters grapple with their emotions and the consequences of their choices, culminating in a tragic yet transformative journey. The story ultimately explores the complexities of human connection and the impact of fate on their intertwined lives.
By Dinah Mulock · First published 1853 · Genre: Fiction, Historical, Adventure · 25,103 words
First lines
Just a capful of wind, and Dan shook loose the linen, and a straight shining streak with specks of foam shot after us. The mast bent like eel-grass, and our keel was half out of the water. Faith belied her name, and clung to the sides with her ten finger-nails; but as for me, I liked it.
"Take the stick, Georgie," said Dan, suddenly, his cheeks white. "Head her up the wind. Steady. Sight the figure-head on Pearson's loft. Here's too much sail for a frigate."
What this Textopian page supports
The South Breaker. By Harriet Prescott Spofford is listed on Textopian as a novel by Dinah Mulock, dated 1853 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Dinah Mulock
- Date: 1853 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Historical, Adventure, Romantic
- Length: 25,103 words
- Structure: 1 section, 361 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The South Breaker. By Harriet Prescott Spofford by Dinah Mulock
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The South Breaker. By Harriet Prescott Spofford?
- How does this novel by Dinah Mulock fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fiction — Harriet Prescott Spofford is known for her fictional works, implying this piece is also likely to fall under the same category.
- Historical — Considering other works of the author, themes related to historical events and settings are often present.
- Adventure — The title 'The South Breaker', suggests possible themes of exploration and adventure.
- Romantic — Harriet Prescott Spofford's narrative style often involved the romantic genre within her fiction.
Tags
Southern Gothic · 19th Century · American Literature · Fiction · Mystery · Drama · Psychological · Character Study · Social Issues · Family Dynamics · Isolation · Nature