Barren Ground by Ellen Glasgow

Name: Barren Ground
Author: Ellen Glasgow

The novel revolves around the life of a strong-willed woman, Judd Ghent, who returns to her family's rural Virginia farm after her husband's death. She faces numerous challenges, including poverty, isolation, and the decline of the aristocratic way of life. Through her struggles, Judd transforms from a submissive wife into an independent and self-sufficient individual.

By Ellen Glasgow · First published 1925 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Realism, Feminist Literature · 46 chapters · 184,278 words

First lines

A girl in an orange-coloured shawl stood at the window of Pedlar's store and looked, through the falling snow, at the deserted road. Though she watched there without moving, her attitude, in its stillness, gave an impression of arrested flight, as if she were running toward life.

What this Textopian page supports

Barren Ground is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ellen Glasgow, dated 1925 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Ellen Glasgow
Date: 1925 CE
Language: English
Genres: Southern Gothic, Realism, Feminist Literature, Pastoral, Modernism
Length: 184,278 words
Structure: 46 chapters, 2,725 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by Ellen Glasgow fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Southern Gothic first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Southern Gothic — Explores themes of decay, social issues, and the grotesque in a Southern setting.
Realism — Depicts everyday life and struggles with a focus on character development and social issues.
Feminist Literature — Centers on the experiences and struggles of a strong female protagonist.
Pastoral — Involves rural settings and the relationship between humans and the land.