The Cornfield
The Cornfield is a novel by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, set in the rural Kentucky of the early twentieth century. It tells the story of the young protagonist, Mary Virginia, and her family, who are struggling to make ends meet on their small farm. Mary Virginia is a bright and imaginative girl, and she dreams of a better life for her family. The novel follows Mary Virginia as she grows up, and she experiences the joys and sorrows of life on the farm. She learns about the importance of hard work, and the value of family and friendship. She also learns about the power of love, and how it can help people overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. The novel is a powerful and moving story of a family's struggle to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment. It is a story of hope and resilience, and of the power of love to overcome all obstacles.
By Elizabeth Madox Roberts · First published 1922 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Southern Gothic, Literary Fiction · 96 words
First lines
I went across the pasture lot When not a one was watching me. Away beyond the cattle barns I climbed a little crooked tree.
And I could look down on the field And see the corn and how it grows Across the world and up and down In very straight and even rows.
And far away and far away -- I wonder if the farmer man Knows all about the corn and how It comes together like a fan.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cornfield is listed on Textopian as a short story by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, dated 1922 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Southern Gothic, Literary Fiction, Romance
- Length: 96 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Cornfield by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Cornfield?
- How does this short story by Elizabeth Madox Roberts fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Star by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Little Bush by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- The Pilaster by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Firefly by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- The Sky by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Crescent Moon by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The Cornfield is set in the early 1900s in rural Kentucky, and follows the story of a young girl's coming of age in a small farming community.
- Southern Gothic — The Cornfield is a dark and often unsettling story, with themes of poverty, death, and the supernatural.
- Literary Fiction — Elizabeth Madox Roberts is known for her lyrical and poetic writing style, and The Cornfield is no exception.
- Romance — The Cornfield follows the romantic relationship between the protagonist and her love interest, and the struggles they face in their small town.
Tags
American · American poetry · Children's poetry · barns · cattle · children's poetry, american · climbed · corn · crooked · fan · farmer · field