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