Virginia by Ellen Glasgow (1913)

Name: Virginia
Author: Ellen Glasgow

The novel revolves around Virginia Pendleton, a beautiful and strong-willed woman from a once-prominent family in a small town in Virginia. The story explores her struggles with poverty, love, and social class as she navigates her life amidst the decline of the aristocracy in the post-Civil War era.

By Ellen Glasgow · First published 1913 · Genre: Southern Literature, Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction · 25 chapters · 173,915 words

First lines

Toward the close of a May afternoon in the year 1884, Miss Priscilla Batte, having learned by heart the lesson in physical geography she would teach her senior class on the morrow, stood feeding her canary on the little square porch of the Dinwiddie Academy for Young Ladies. The day had been hot, and the fitful wind, which had risen in the direction of the river, was just beginning to blow in soft gusts under the old mulberry trees in the street, and to scatter the loosened petals of syringa blossoms in a flowery snow over the grass. For a moment Miss Priscilla turned her flushed face to the scented air, while her eyes rested lovingly on the narrow walk, edged with pointed bricks and bordered by cowslips and wallflowers, which led through the short garden to the three stone steps and the tall iron gate.

What this Textopian page supports

Virginia is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ellen Glasgow, dated 1913 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: 1913 CE
Language: English
Genres: Southern Literature, Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance
Length: 173,915 words
Structure: 25 chapters, 2,516 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Virginia 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

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Similar titles

Genres

Southern Literature — The novel is set in the American South and explores themes and social issues pertinent to that region.
Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical period and reflects the social and cultural context of that time.
Domestic Fiction — The narrative focuses on the life and experiences of the protagonist within the domestic sphere.
Social Commentary — The book critiques and examines societal norms and issues, particularly those related to gender and class.