What Ann Lang Read by Edmund Gosse
The memoir recounts the life of Ann Lang, a Scottish woman who lived from 1775 to 1832. Born into poverty, she was largely self-educated and developed a passion for literature. Despite her humble origins, she became acquainted with prominent literary figures of her time, including Robert Burns and William Wordsworth. The book explores her struggles, relationships, and intellectual pursuits, offering a unique glimpse into the life of an extraordinary woman during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
By Edmund Gosse · First published 1894 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Criticism, Romance · 1,924 words
First lines
Who was Ann Lang? Alas! I am not sure; but she flourished one hundred and sixty years ago, under his glorious Majesty, George I., and I have become the happy possessor of a portion of her library. It consists of a number of cheap novels, all published in 1723 and 1724, when Ann Lang probably bought them; and each carries, written on the back of the title, "ann Lang book 1727," which is doubtless the date of her lending them to some younger female friend. The letters of this inscription are round and laboriously shaped, while the form is always the same, and never "Ann Lang, her book," which is what one would expect. It is not the hand of a person of quality: I venture to conclude that she who wrote it was a milliner's apprentice or a servant-girl. There are five novels in this little collection, and a play, and a pamphlet of poems, and a bundle of love-letters, all signed upon their title-pages by the Ouida of the period, the great Eliza Haywood.
What this Textopian page supports
What Ann Lang Read is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edmund Gosse, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edmund Gosse
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Criticism, Romance, Drama
- Length: 1,924 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for What Ann Lang Read by Edmund Gosse
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in the past, specifically during the reign of George I, and it references historical figures and events, such as the publication of early novels and the cultural context of the time.
- Literary Criticism — The narrative provides a critique and analysis of the works of Eliza Haywood, a popular writer of the time, and discusses the impact and reception of her works.
- Romance — The narrative discusses the themes of love and passion that are prevalent in the novels read by Ann Lang, which are primarily romance novels.
- Drama — The narrative discusses the dramatic elements present in the novels read by Ann Lang, such as emotional turmoil, conflict, and intense interpersonal relationships.
Tags
Literary Criticism · Book Review · Reading Habits · Personal Library · Private Education · Childhood Memories · Family History · Autobiographical · Memoir · Victorian Era · English Literature · Cultural Heritage