A Cup of Cold Water by Edith Wharton
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman who becomes disillusioned with her mundane and restrictive existence in a small American town during the late 19th century. She seeks excitement and freedom by marrying a charming but unreliable man, which ultimately leads to tragic consequences. Through this narrative, the author critiques the societal norms that govern women's lives, particularly their limited options and the expectations placed upon them.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1919 · Genre: Realism, Drama, Social Critique · 13,970 words
First lines
It was three o'clock in the morning, and the cotillion was at its height, when Woburn left the over-heated splendor of the Gildermere ballroom, and after a delay caused by the determination of the drowsy footman to give him a ready-made overcoat with an imitation astrachan collar in place of his own unimpeachable Poole garment, found himself breasting the icy solitude of the Fifth Avenue. He was still smiling, as he emerged from the awning, at his insistence in claiming his own overcoat: it illustrated, humorously enough, the invincible force of habit. As he faced the wind, however, he discerned a providence in his persistency, for his coat was fur-lined, and he had a cold voyage before him on the morrow.
What this Textopian page supports
A Cup of Cold Water is listed on Textopian as a novella by Edith Wharton, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Edith Wharton
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Drama, Social Critique, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 13,970 words
- Structure: 1 section, 183 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Cup of Cold Water by Edith Wharton
- 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 A Cup of Cold Water?
- How does this novella by Edith Wharton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Other Two by Edith Wharton
- The Letters by Edith Wharton
- The Long Run by Edith Wharton
- In Trust by Edith Wharton
- Guinevere by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- The Quicksand by Edith Wharton
Genres
- Realism — Depicts life as it is, without sugarcoating or idealization, focusing on everyday activities and experiences.
- Drama — Involves conflicts and emotions that are expressed through actions and dialogues.
- Social Critique — Critiques and explores societal norms and expectations.
- Psychological Fiction — Explores the inner lives and psychological experiences of characters.
Tags
Classic Literature · Romance · Social Class · Marriage · Family Drama · American Fiction · Early 20th Century · New York Society · Upper Class · Wealth and Privilege · Morality · Ethics