New Neighbors
The novel explores the theme of social class and its effects on relationships through the story of two families, the Dobsons and the Hammonds, who become neighbors in a small town in New England during the late 19th century. The Dobsons are an old aristocratic family struggling to maintain their social status, while the Hammonds are wealthy newcomers trying to gain acceptance into high society. As the characters interact with each other, they must confront their own prejudices and biases, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves and those around them.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward · First published 1875 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Domestic Fiction · 305 words
First lines
Within the window's scant recess, Behind a pink geranium flower, She sits and sews, and sews and sits, From patient hour to patient hour.
As woman-like as marble is, Or as a lovely death might be -- A marble death condemned to make A feint at life perpetually.
What this Textopian page supports
New Neighbors is listed on Textopian as a poem by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, dated 1875 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- Date: 1875 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Domestic Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Realism
- Length: 305 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for New Neighbors by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- 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 New Neighbors?
- How does this poem by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Galatea by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- Geraldine by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Gates Between by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- The Gates Between by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- Told In Confidence by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- The Coquette by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse with a rhythmic and rhyming pattern.
- Romance — Themes of love and emotional transformation are evident in the narrative.
- Domestic Fiction — The setting and activities described are centered around domestic life.
- Psychological Fiction — The internal thoughts and emotional states of the characters are explored.
Tags
American Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Social Commentary · Women's Rights · Feminist Literature · Domestic Life · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Neighborhood Politics · Small Town Life · Rural Setting · Community Building