Atrophy by Edith Wharton (1937)
Atrophy is a novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton. It tells the story of a young woman, Mary Chilton, who is struggling to find her place in the world. She is a talented artist, but her family is too poor to support her ambitions. She is also in love with a man who is not suitable for her, and she is torn between her desire for him and her need to make something of her life. The novel follows Mary as she navigates the complexities of her life, from her family’s poverty to her own inner struggles. She is forced to make difficult decisions, and ultimately must choose between her dreams and her obligations. Along the way, she discovers the power of her own strength and resilience. Atrophy is a powerful story of love, loss, and self-discovery. It is a timeless tale of a woman’s journey to find her place in the world, and to make something of her life.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1937 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Drama · 2 chapters · 4,433 words
First lines
Nora Frenway settled down furtively in her corner of the Pullman and, as the express plunged out of the Grand Central Station, wondered at herself for being where she was. The porter came along. "Ticket?" "Westover." She had instinctively lowered her voice and glanced about her. But neither the porter nor her nearest neighbours--fortunately none of them known to her--seemed in the least surprised or interested by the statement that she was travelling to Westover.
What this Textopian page supports
Atrophy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Wharton, dated 1937 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edith Wharton
- Date: 1937 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Drama, Historical Fiction
- Length: 4,433 words
- Structure: 2 chapters, 94 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Atrophy 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 Atrophy?
- How does this short story by Edith Wharton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realistic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Realistic Fiction — Atrophy is a realistic fiction novel by Edith Wharton, which follows the story of a young woman's struggle to find her place in society and the consequences of her decisions.
- Romance — Atrophy is a romantic novel, as it follows the story of a young woman's romantic relationships and the consequences of her decisions.
- Drama — Atrophy is a dramatic novel, as it follows the story of a young woman's struggles and the consequences of her decisions.
- Historical Fiction — Atrophy is a historical fiction novel, as it is set in the late 19th century and follows the story of a young woman's struggles in a society with strict social conventions.
Tags
decay · society · isolation · futility · disillusionment · class · feminism · psychological · relationships · urban · modernity · existentialism