The Pulpit
The Pulpit is a novel by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, published in 1929. It tells the story of a small Kentucky town in the early twentieth century, and the people who inhabit it. The novel follows the lives of the townspeople, focusing on the Reverend John Burden, a Methodist minister, and his family. The Reverend is a kind and gentle man, but he is also a strict disciplinarian. He is a man of faith, but he is also a man of reason. He is a man of conviction, but he is also a man of doubt. The novel follows the Reverend and his family as they struggle to make ends meet and to keep their faith in the face of adversity. The Reverend's daughter, Mary, is a young woman of strong faith and conviction, but she is also a woman of doubt and uncertainty. She is torn between her love for her father and her desire to find her own path in life. The novel also follows the lives of the other townspeople, including the local doctor, the schoolteacher, and the town gossip. Through their stories, the novel explores the themes of faith, doubt, and the power of community. The Pulpit is a powerful and moving novel that captures the spirit of a small town and its people. It is a story of faith, doubt, and the power of community.
By Elizabeth Madox Roberts · First published 1922 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Realism, Historical Fiction · 192 words
First lines
On Sunday when I go to church I wear my dress that's trimmed with lace. I sit beside my mother and Am very quiet in my place.
When Dr. Brown is reading hymns To make the people want to sing, Or when he preaches loud and makes The shivery bells begin to ring,
I watch the little pulpit house -- It isn't very tall or wide -- And then I wonder all about The little ones that live inside.
When Dr. Brown has preached enough, And when he is about to stop, He stands behind the little house And shuts the Bible on the top.
What this Textopian page supports
The Pulpit 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: Southern Gothic, Realism, Historical Fiction, Religious Fiction
- Length: 192 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Pulpit 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 Pulpit?
- How does this short story by Elizabeth Madox Roberts fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Southern Gothic first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Sunday Bonnet by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- In My Pillow by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- The Pilaster by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Firefly by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- The Star by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Little Bush by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
Genres
- Southern Gothic — The Pulpit is set in rural Kentucky and explores themes of religion, family, and morality, which are all common elements of Southern Gothic literature.
- Realism — The Pulpit is written in a realistic style, focusing on the everyday lives of its characters and their struggles with faith and morality.
- Historical Fiction — The Pulpit is set in the early 20th century and explores the history and culture of rural Kentucky during this time period.
- Religious Fiction — The Pulpit focuses on the religious beliefs and struggles of its characters, making it a work of religious fiction.
Tags
American · American poetry · Children's poetry · bedroom · bells · bible · brown · cat · children's poetry, american · church · cook · dreams