The Difference by Ellen Glasgow
The novel explores the lives of two women, a mother and daughter, who embody different values and lifestyles. The mother, a product of the old aristocracy, clings to traditional social norms and conventions, while the daughter, influenced by modernity and feminism, seeks independence and self-expression. Through their contrasting perspectives, the novel examines the tensions between tradition and progress, highlighting the limitations and possibilities of women's lives in the early 20th century American South.
By Ellen Glasgow · First published 1902 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Realism, Historical Fiction · 10,319 words
First lines
Outside, in the autumn rain, the leaves were falling.
What this Textopian page supports
The Difference is listed on Textopian as a novella by Ellen Glasgow, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Ellen Glasgow
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Southern Gothic, Realism, Historical Fiction, Drama, Literary Fiction
- Length: 10,319 words
- Structure: 1 section, 191 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Difference by Ellen Glasgow
- 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 Difference?
- How does this novella by Ellen Glasgow fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Southern Gothic first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Point In Morals by Ellen Glasgow
- Barren Ground by Ellen Glasgow
- The Mission Of Jane by Edith Wharton
- A Torchbearer by Edith Wharton
- The Pretext by Edith Wharton
- Phases Of An Inferior Planet by Ellen Glasgow
Genres
- Southern Gothic — Explores themes of decay, social issues, and the grotesque in a Southern setting.
- Realism — Depicts everyday life and society with a focus on character development and social critique.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical period, reflecting the social and cultural context of the time.
- Drama — Centers on intense character interactions and emotional conflicts.
Tags
Romance · Novel · Classic · Literary Fiction · Social Commentary · Family Drama · Marriage · Relationships · Women's Rights · Feminism · Southern United States · Historical Fiction