The Star by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
The Star is a novel by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, published in 1926. It tells the story of a young woman, Lucy Marsden, who is living in a small Kentucky town in the early 1900s. Lucy is a dreamer, and she longs to escape the confines of her small town and explore the world. She is also in love with a young man, John, who is a soldier in the army. When John is sent away to fight in World War I, Lucy is left alone and heartbroken. She finds solace in the stars, which she believes are a sign of hope and a reminder of John's love. As the war drags on, Lucy's dreams of a better life become more and more distant. Eventually, John returns home, but he is a changed man. He is distant and withdrawn, and Lucy is unable to reach him. In the end, Lucy must decide whether to stay in her small town and accept her fate, or to take a chance and follow her dreams.
By Elizabeth Madox Roberts · First published 1922 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Southern Gothic · 32 words
First lines
(A Song)
O little one away so far, You cannot hear me when I sing.
You cannot tell me what you are, I cannot tell you anything.
What this Textopian page supports
The Star 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, Coming of Age, Southern Gothic, Literary Fiction
- Length: 32 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Star 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Star?
- 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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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The Star is set in the early 20th century in rural Kentucky, and follows the life of a young girl, Nancy, as she navigates the struggles of growing up in a rural, poverty-stricken area.
- Coming of Age — The Star follows Nancy as she matures and learns to navigate the complexities of life, including poverty, family dynamics, and the power of love.
- Southern Gothic — The Star is set in the rural South and features a dark, mysterious atmosphere, as well as characters with complex and often tragic backstories.
- Literary Fiction — The Star is written in a lyrical, poetic style, and features complex characters and themes that explore the human condition.
Tags
American · American poetry · Children's poetry · children's poetry, american · hear · sing · song