The Pilaster
The Pilaster is a novel by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, published in 1925. It tells the story of a young woman, Mary, who is living in a small Kentucky town in the early 1900s. She is a dreamer, and she longs to escape the confines of her small town and explore the world. She meets a mysterious stranger, a man named John, who seems to understand her dreams and encourages her to pursue them. Mary and John become close, and she begins to think of him as a father figure. But when John suddenly disappears, Mary is left alone and confused. She is determined to find him, and her search leads her to a mysterious and dangerous place called the Pilaster. There, she discovers a secret that will change her life forever. The Pilaster is a story of love, loss, and redemption. It is a powerful and moving tale of a young woman's journey to find her place in the world.
By Elizabeth Madox Roberts · First published 1922 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Southern Gothic, Realism · 93 words
First lines
The church has pieces jutting out Where corners of the walls begin. I have one for my little house, And I can feel myself go in.
I feel myself go in the bricks, And I can see myself in there. I'm always waiting all alone, I'm sitting on a little chair.
And I am sitting very still, And I am waiting on and on For something that is never there, For something that is gone.
What this Textopian page supports
The Pilaster 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, Realism, Romance
- Length: 93 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Pilaster 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 Pilaster?
- 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
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- Strange Tree by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The Pilaster is set in the early 20th century and follows the story of a young woman's journey to adulthood in rural Kentucky.
- Southern Gothic — The Pilaster is set in the rural South and features themes of death, decay, and the supernatural, which are common in Southern Gothic literature.
- Realism — The Pilaster is written in a realistic style, focusing on the everyday lives of its characters and their struggles with poverty and family dynamics.
- Romance — The Pilaster features a romantic subplot between the protagonist and a young man, which adds an element of romance to the story.
Tags
American · American poetry · Children's poetry · bricks · chair · children's poetry, american · church · corners · feel · house · jutting · pieces