The Mission of Jane by Edith Wharton
The novel revolves around Jane Hoskins, a young and inexperienced missionary who travels to the fictional town of Trena, Illinois, to work with the impoverished and uneducated community. Upon her arrival, she faces numerous challenges, including the harsh winter weather, inadequate living conditions, and the skepticism of the townspeople. Despite these obstacles, Jane perseveres and eventually earns the respect and admiration of the community through her kindness, empathy, and dedication.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1909 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Critique, Drama · 6 chapters · 9,382 words
First lines
LETHBURY, surveying his wife across the dinner table, found his transient conjugal glance arrested by an indefinable change in her appearance.
"How smart you look! Is that a new gown? " he asked.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mission of Jane is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Wharton, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Critique, Drama, Romance
- Length: 9,382 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 167 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mission of Jane 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Mission of Jane?
- How does this short story by Edith Wharton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Pretext by Edith Wharton
- The Long Run by Edith Wharton
- Souls Belated by Edith Wharton
- The Reckoning by Edith Wharton
- Full Circle by Edith Wharton
- The Egoists by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative focuses on character development, psychological depth, and introspection.
- Social Critique — The narrative critiques societal norms and expectations, particularly those related to gender and class.
- Drama — The narrative contains dramatic elements, including conflict and tension between characters.
- Romance — The narrative includes elements of romantic love and relationships.
Tags
Romance · Novel · Classic · Literary Fiction · American Literature · Early 20th Century · Social Commentary · Women's Rights · Feminism · Marriage · Love Triangle · Upper Class