The Reckoning by Edith Wharton
The novel revolves around the life of John Amherst, a wealthy and influential man who has reached middle age. He is married to a woman named Julia, but their marriage is loveless and lacks passion. John's life takes a dramatic turn when he meets a young and beautiful widow named Sophy Viner. They start an affair, which awakens John's sense of passion and desire that had been dormant for years. As the affair progresses, John begins to re-evaluate his life, including his marriage and his relationships with his friends and family. He starts to question the values and morals he has lived by until now. However, Sophy is not what she seems, and her true nature is slowly revealed over time. She is cunning, manipulative, and calculating, using her charm and beauty to get what she wants from men. In the end, John is forced to confront the reality of his situation and make a choice between his marriage and his affair. The novel explores themes of morality, class, and the social conventions that govern people's lives during the early 20th century.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1938 · Genre: Drama, Historical Fiction, Romance · 3 chapters · 11,133 words
First lines
"THE marriage law of the new dispensation will be: _Thou shalt not be unfaithful -- to thyself_."
What this Textopian page supports
The Reckoning is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edith Wharton, dated 1938 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edith Wharton
- Date: 1938 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Historical Fiction, Romance, Tragedy
- Length: 11,133 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 181 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Reckoning by Edith Wharton
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Reckoning?
- How does this novel by Edith Wharton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Incomplete Amorist by Edith Nesbit
- The Pretext by Edith Wharton
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Genres
- Drama — The narrative is filled with emotional conflicts and moral dilemmas, which are characteristic of drama.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical period and reflects the social and cultural conditions of that time.
- Romance — The plot involves a romantic relationship, which is a central theme of the story.
- Tragedy — The narrative ends in a tragic manner, with the protagonist facing a downfall.
Tags
Romance · Novel · Classic · Literary Fiction · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Witty · Irony · Upper Class · Society · Marriage
Contents
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III