The Best Man by Edith Wharton (1908)
The story revolves around a wealthy and socially prominent family, the Lenoxes, who are preparing for their daughter May's wedding to Newland Archer, a young lawyer from a respectable family. However, Archer falls in love with May's cousin, Ellen Olenska, a beautiful and alluring woman who has returned to New York after a scandalous divorce in Europe.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1908 · Genre: Romance, Drama, Social Commentary · 6 chapters · 10,968 words
First lines
DUSK had fallen, and the circle of light shed by the lamp of Governor Mornway's writing-table just rescued from the surrounding dimness his own imposing bulk, thrown back in a deep chair in the lounging attitude habitual to him at that hour.
What this Textopian page supports
The Best Man is listed on Textopian as a novella by Edith Wharton, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Drama, Social Commentary
- Length: 10,968 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 282 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Best Man by Edith Wharton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
- The Valley Of Decision by Edith Wharton
- Wedding Day by Edith Nesbit
- Coming Home by Edith Wharton
- The Woman Haters by Joseph C. Lincoln
- Full Circle by Edith Wharton
- A Meeting by Edith Wharton
Genres
- Romance — The narrative primarily revolves around romantic relationships and their complexities.
- Drama — The story contains elements of conflict, tension, and emotional upheaval.
- Social Commentary — The narrative provides critique and observation of societal norms and expectations.
Tags
Romance · Marriage · Social Class · Wealth · Family · Relationships · Society · Etiquette · Manners · Tradition · Love Triangle · Friendship