Salome's Burden by Eleanora H. Stooke
The story is set in the small fishing village of Yelton on the north coast of Cornwall. It revolves around Salome Petherick, a 14-year-old crippled girl who lives with her father, Josiah, a fisherman struggling with alcoholism. Salome is a devoted daughter, managing the household and tending to her garden while her father is at sea. Despite her physical limitations, she is resourceful and determined, but her father's drinking habits cast a shadow over their lives. Josiah is a brave man at sea but a moral coward on land, unable to resist the lure of the village inn, the "Crab and Cockle." His drinking problem worsens after the death of his wife, leaving Salome to bear the burden of his addiction. The vicar, Mr. Amyatt, is a supportive figure, offering guidance and encouragement to Salome, urging her to have patience and faith. The arrival of the Fowler family at Greystone, a nearby residence, introduces new dynamics. Margaret Fowler, a girl of Salome's age, befriends her, and the two form a close bond. Margaret's mother, Mrs. Fowler, is recovering from an illness and is initially indifferent to her daughter, favoring her son, Gerald. However, as the story progresses, Mrs. Fowler's character undergoes significant development, influenced by the events around her and her interactions with Salome. The narrative explores themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption. Salome's unwavering love for her father, despite his flaws, is a central theme. Her patience and prayers for his sobriety are eventually rewarded when Josiah decides to take the pledge and give up drinking, influenced by Mrs. Fowler's example. The story also highlights the impact of alcoholism on families and communities, the power of friendship, and the importance of faith and perseverance. Salome's journey from a life overshadowed by her father's addiction to one of hope and renewal is mirrored by the changes in the Fowler family, particularly Mrs. Fowler's transformation and her growing bond with Margaret. In the end, the community comes together, and the characters find solace and strength in each other, with the church and its hymns symbolizing the enduring presence of faith and hope in their lives.
By Eleanora H. Stooke · First published 1904 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Gothic Fiction · 18 chapters · 51,226 words
First lines
IT was summer time. The day had been oppressively hot; but now, as the sun disappeared like a ball of fire beyond the broad Atlantic, a cool breeze sprang up, and the inhabitants of the fishing village of Yelton came to their cottage doors and gossiped with each other, as they enjoyed the fresh evening air.
What this Textopian page supports
Salome's Burden is listed on Textopian as a novel by Eleanora H. Stooke, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Eleanora H. Stooke
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Drama, Mystery Fiction
- Length: 51,226 words
- Structure: 18 chapters, 1,027 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Salome's Burden by Eleanora H. Stooke
- 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
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The title's reference to Salome and the notion of a burden suggest a narrative rooted in historical or biblical contexts, which likely reconstructs or reinterprets historical events and figures in a dramatized form.
- Biblical Fiction — The use of the name Salome implies connections to biblical characters and themes, indicating that the book likely engages with religious or apocryphal narratives through a fictional lens.
- Gothic Fiction — The idea of a 'burden' coupled with the enigmatic title hints at themes of mystery, darkness, and psychological intensity, which are characteristics of Gothic literature.
- Psychological Drama — The concept of a personal burden suggests a focus on internal conflict and character-driven exploration, aligning with the traits of psychological drama.
Tags
historical fiction · biblical legend · myth retelling · feminist literature · drama · guilt · redemption · sensuality · spiritual journey · cultural conflict · psychological depth · character study
Contents
- Salome's Trouble
- New Acquaintances
- The Fowlers at Home
- "Abide with me."
- Salome's Humiliation
- Perfectly Happy
- An Afternoon's Outing
- An Awful Thing
- The Blow Falls
- Mr. Fowler's Return
- Josiah at his Worst
- A Brief Repentance
- Mrs. Fowler and Salome
- A Stormy Night
- Trouble at Greystone
- Days of Sickness
- The Shadow Lifted
- Happier Days