The Romance of a Plain Man
The novel revolves around the life of a quiet and unassuming man named Daniel Ordway, who lives in a small Virginia town. He falls deeply in love with a beautiful and charming woman named Evelyn Yardley, but their social differences and his own lack of confidence hinder their relationship. As Daniel struggles to express his feelings, Evelyn becomes engaged to another man. The novel explores themes of unrequited love, social class, and the constraints placed on individuals by societal expectations.
By Ellen Glasgow · First published 1926 · Genre: Romance, Realism, Historical Fiction · 35 chapters · 153,106 words
First lines
As the storm broke and a shower of hail rattled like a handful of pebbles against our little window, I choked back a sob and edged my small green-painted stool a trifle nearer the hearth. On the opposite side of the wire fender, my father kicked off his wet boots, stretched his feet, in grey yarn stockings, out on the rag carpet in front of the fire, and reached for his pipe which he had laid, still smoking, on the floor under his chair.
"It's as true as the Bible, Benjy," he said, "that on the day you were born yo' brother President traded off my huntin' breeches for a yaller pup."
What this Textopian page supports
The Romance of a Plain Man is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ellen Glasgow, dated 1926 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: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Realism, Historical Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary
- Length: 153,106 words
- Structure: 35 chapters, 3,044 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Romance of a Plain Man 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 Romance of a Plain Man?
- How does this novel by Ellen Glasgow fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Point In Morals by Ellen Glasgow
- Phases Of An Inferior Planet by Ellen Glasgow
- The Wheel Of Life by Ellen Glasgow
- The Builders by Ellen Glasgow
- The Ancient Law by Ellen Glasgow
- The Miller Of Old Church by Ellen Glasgow
Genres
- Romance — The central theme revolves around romantic relationships and emotional experiences.
- Realism — The narrative focuses on everyday life and the protagonist's personal growth, reflecting realistic social conditions.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical period, providing context and background relevant to that era.
- Drama — The plot includes intense character development and emotional conflicts.
Tags
Romance · Fiction · Novel · American Literature · Southern Gothic · Social Class · Marriage · Love Story · Family Drama · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Social Commentary
Contents
- IN WHICH I APPEAR WITH FEW PRETENSIONS
- THE ENCHANTED GARDEN
- A PAIR OF RED SHOES
- IN WHICH I PLAY IN THE ENCHANTED GARDEN
- IN WHICH I START IN LIFE
- CONCERNING CARROTS
- IN WHICH I MOUNT THE FIRST RUNG OF THE LADDER
- IN WHICH MY EDUCATION BEGINS
- I LEARN A LITTLE LATIN AND A GREAT DEAL OF LIFE
- IN WHICH I GROW UP
- IN WHICH I ENTER SOCIETY AND GET A FALL
- I WALK INTO THE COUNTRY AND MEET WITH AN ADVENTURE
- IN WHICH I RUN AGAINST TRADITIONS
- IN WHICH I TEST MY STRENGTH
- A MEETING IN THE ENCHANTED GARDEN
- IN WHICH SALLY SPEAKS HER MIND
- IN WHICH MY FORTUNES RISE
- THE PRINCIPLES OF MISS MATOACA
- SHOWS THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE
- IN WHICH SOCIETY RECEIVES US
- I AM THE WONDER OF THE HOUR
- THE MAN AND THE CLASS
- IN WHICH I WALK ON THIN ICE
- IN WHICH I GO DOWN
- WE FACE THE FACTS AND EACH OTHER
- THE RED FLAG AT THE GATE
- WE CLOSE THE DOOR BEHIND US
- IN WHICH SALLY STOOPS
- IN WHICH WE RECEIVE VISITORS
- IN WHICH SALLY PLANS
- THE DEEPEST SHADOW
- I COME TO THE SURFACE
- THE GROWING DISTANCE
- THE BLOW THAT CLEARS
- THE ULTIMATE CHOICE