The Wheel of Life by Ellen Glasgow

The novel revolves around the life of Laura Wentworth, a young woman from a wealthy family in Virginia during the late 19th century. The story explores themes of love, marriage, and social class as Laura navigates her relationships with three men: Andrew Baldwin, a poor but ambitious lawyer; Evan Baxter, a wealthy and charming suitor; and Roger Lawrence, a cynical and disillusioned intellectual. Through Laura's experiences, the novel examines the constraints placed on women by societal expectations and the limitations of their choices in life.

By Ellen Glasgow · First published 1906 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance · 38 chapters

Contents

• IN WHICH THE ROMANTIC HERO IS CONSPICUOUS BY HIS ABSENCE
• OF PLEASURE AS THE CHIEF END OF MAN
• A DISCONSOLATE LOVER AND A PAIR OF BLUE EYES
• THE SECRET CHAMBERS
• TREATS OF AN ECCENTRIC FAMILY
• AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT
• THE DEIFICATION OF CLAY
• IN WHICH LAURA ENTERS THE VALLEY OF HUMILIATION
• APOLOGISES FOR AN OLD-FASHIONED ATMOSPHERE
• THE MOTH AND THE FLAME
• THE GREATEST OF THESE
• PROVES A GREAT CITY TO BE A GREAT SOLITUDE
• USHERS IN THE MODERN SPIRIT
• TREATS OF THE ATTRACTION OF OPPOSITES
• ADAMS WATCHES IN THE NIGHT AND SEES THE DAWN
• SHOWS THAT TRUE LOVE IS TRUE SERVICE
• IN WHICH A YOUNG MAN DREAMS DREAMS
• SHOWS THE DANGERS AS WELL AS THE PLEASURES OF THE CHASE
• TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES
• BETWEEN LAURA AND GERTY
• SHOWS THAT MR. WORLDLY-WISE-MAN MAY BELONG TO EITHER SEX
• THE FINER VISION
• THE FEET OF THE GOD
• RENEWAL
• THE IRRESISTIBLE FORCE
• IN WHICH FAILURE IS CROWNED BY FAILURE
• IN WHICH KEMPER IS PUZZLED
• PROVES THAT A POOR LOVER MAY MAKE AN EXCELLENT FRIEND
• "THE SMALL OLD PATH"
• SHOWS THAT LOVE WITHOUT WISDOM IS FOLLY
• OF MASQUES AND MUMMERIES
• THE TRIUMPH OF THE EGO
• OF THE FEAR IN LOVE
• SHOWS THE HERO TO BE LACKING IN HEROIC QUALITIES
• IN WHICH ADAMS COMES INTO HIS INHERITANCE
• THE END OF THE PATH
• IN WHICH A LIE IS THE BETTER PART OF TRUTH
• ON THE WINGS OF LIFE

More by Ellen Glasgow

• The Past (1920)
• The Deliverance (1904)
• The Battle Ground (1902)
• Life and Gabriella (1916)
• One Man in His Time (1922)
• The Voice of the People (1900)
• The Miller of Old Church (1901)
• Virginia (1913)
• All works by Ellen Glasgow