Mrs. Harter by E.M. Delafield (1946)

"Mrs. Harter" by E.M. Delafield is a story set in the small English town of Cross Loman, where the arrival of Mrs. Harter and Captain Patch disrupts the community's usual tranquility. The narrative is driven by the narrator's attempt to reconstruct the events of the previous summer, focusing on the enigmatic Mrs. Harter, who is perceived differently by various characters. The narrator's wife, Claire, is a central figure, characterized by her emotional volatility and strong opinions on various social issues. The story explores themes of perception, gossip, and the complexities of human relationships, as the townspeople speculate about Mrs. Harter's past and her interactions with Captain Patch. The narrative delves into the intricacies of social dynamics, personal biases, and the impact of rumors in a close-knit community.

By E.M. Delafield · First published 1946 · Genre: Comedy, Domestic Fiction, Satire · 15 chapters · 70,270 words

First lines

Most of us, at Cross Loman, have begun to forget about Mrs. Harter and Captain Patch, and those of us who still remember -- and after all, it was only last summer -- hardly ever speak their names.

What this Textopian page supports

Mrs. Harter is listed on Textopian as a novel by E.M. Delafield, dated 1946 CE.

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

• Work type: Novel
• Author: E.M. Delafield
• Date: 1946 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Comedy, Domestic Fiction, Satire, Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction
• Length: 70,270 words
• Structure: 15 chapters, 1,932 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Mrs. Harter by E.M. Delafield
• 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 Mrs. Harter?
• How does this novel by E.M. Delafield fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?

Genres

• Comedy — The narrative employs humor and wit to satirize ordinary life, making comedy the most relevant genre.
• Domestic Fiction — The book focuses on the everyday experiences and social interactions of its protagonist, characteristic of domestic fiction.
• Satire — It uses biting humor to critique societal norms and conventions, aligning well with satirical literature.
• Women's Fiction — The story centers on the life of a female protagonist, exploring her personal and social challenges in a way that is typical of women's fiction.

Tags

satirical · humorous · social commentary · domestic life · upper-middle class · witty · novel · British · interwar period · comedy · female protagonist · provincial

Contents

• CHAPTER 1
• CHAPTER 2
• CHAPTER 3
• CHAPTER 4
• CHAPTER 5
• CHAPTER 6
• CHAPTER 7
• CHAPTER 8
• CHAPTER 9
• CHAPTER 10
• CHAPTER 11
• CHAPTER 12
• CHAPTER 13
• CHAPTER 14
• CHAPTER 15

More by E.M. Delafield

• The Philistine: A Story (1926)
• The Provincial Lady in Russia (1937)
• Consequences (2023)
• The War-Workers (2023)
• The Optimist (2023)
• The Heel of Achilles (1944)
• Tension (1955)
• Humbug (1992)
• All works by E.M. Delafield