The Deliverance by Ellen Glasgow
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman named Ellis Tolliver, who lives on a rural farm in Virginia during the late 19th century. The story explores her struggles with poverty, isolation, and limited opportunities for women at that time. Ellis's life takes a dramatic turn when she meets a wealthy and educated man named Ben Starr, who awakens her desire for knowledge, beauty, and refinement. As their relationship deepens, Ellis must confront the harsh realities of her circumstances and make difficult choices about her future.
By Ellen Glasgow · First published 1904 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Historical Fiction, Realism · 48 chapters · 165,334 words
First lines
When the Susquehanna stage came to the daily halt beneath the blasted pine at the cross-roads, an elderly man, wearing a flapping frock coat and a soft slouch hat, stepped gingerly over one of the muddy wheels, and threw a doubtful glance across the level tobacco fields, where the young plants were drooping in the June sunshine.
"So this is my way, is it? " he asked, with a jerk of his thumb toward a cloud of blue-and-yellow butterflies drifting over a shining puddle -- "five miles as the crow flies, and through a bog?"
What this Textopian page supports
The Deliverance is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ellen Glasgow, dated 1904 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: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Southern Gothic, Historical Fiction, Realism, Family Saga, Social Commentary
- Length: 165,334 words
- Structure: 48 chapters, 2,906 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Deliverance by Ellen Glasgow
- 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 Deliverance?
- 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
- The Builders by Ellen Glasgow
- Jordans End by Ellen Glasgow
- The Ancient Law by Ellen Glasgow
- Virginia by Ellen Glasgow
- The Miller Of Old Church by Ellen Glasgow
- The Past by Ellen Glasgow
Genres
- Southern Gothic — Explores the decay of Southern aristocracy and complex social issues.
- Historical Fiction — Set in the post-Civil War South, reflecting historical context and societal changes.
- Realism — Depicts everyday life and struggles with a focus on character development and social issues.
- Family Saga — Follows the lives and fortunes of a Southern family over an extended period.
Tags
Southern Gothic · Family Drama · Romance · Tragedy · Social Class · Wealth · Poverty · Rural Life · Virginia · American Literature · Early 20th Century · Historical Fiction
Contents
- The Man in the Field
- The Romance that Might have Been
- In Which Tobacco is Hero
- The Unforeseen
- Christopher Seeks an Escape
- The Owner of Blake Hall
- The Romance that Was
- Between Christopher and Will
- Maria Returns to the Hall
- The Measure of Maria
- Showing that a Little Culture Entails Great Care
- Fletcher's Move and Christopher's Counterstroke
- Mrs. Blake Speaks her Mind on Several Matters
- The Day Afterward
- Will's Ruin
- Of Human Nature in the Raw State
- A Gallant Deed that Leads to Evil
- In Which Christopher Hesitates
- The Meeting in the Night
- In Which Mrs. Blake's Eyes are Opened
- The Wreck of the Blakes
- The Glimpse of a Bride
- The Happiness of Tucker
- Maria Stands on Christopher's Ground
- Christopher Plants by Moonlight
- Carraway Plays Courtier
- Shows Fletcher in a New Light
- The Wages of Folly
- The Growing Light
- Treats of the Tragedy Which Wears a Comic Mask
- In Which a Stand is Made
- In Which Hero and Villain Appear as One
- The Toss of a Coin
- In Which Carraway Speaks the Truth to Maria
- Will Faces Desperation and Stands at Bay
- Treats of a Passion that is Not Love
- Between the Devil and the Deep Sea
- In Which Christopher Triumphs
- Between Maria and Christopher
- How Christopher Comes Into His Revenge
- Cynthia
- As the Twig is Bent
- Christopher Faces Himself
- The Fulfilling of the Law
- Sentimental and Otherwise
- Powers of Darkness
- By the Poplar Spring
- The Wheel of Life