O Russet Witch!
The story revolves around a romantic and tragic love affair between a wealthy and charismatic man and a beautiful and alluring woman who is rumored to have mystical powers. The novel explores themes of love, greed, class, and the corrupting influence of wealth, set against the backdrop of the American aristocracy in the 1920s.
By F. Scott Fitzgerald · First published 1921 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Social Commentary · 4 chapters · 13,797 words
First lines
Merlin Grainger was employed by the Moonlight Quill Bookshop, which you may have visited, just around the corner from the Ritz-Carlton on Forty-seventh Street. The Moonlight Quill is, or rather was, a very romantic little store, considered radical and admitted dark. It was spotted interiorly with red and orange posters of breathless exotic intent, and lit no less by the shiny reflecting bindings of special editions than by the great squat lamp of crimson satin that, lighted through all the day, swung overhead. It was truly a mellow bookshop. The words "Moonlight Quill" were worked over the door in a sort of serpentine embroidery. The windows seemed always full of something that had passed the literary censors with little to spare; volumes with covers of deep orange which offer their titles on little white paper squares.
What this Textopian page supports
O Russet Witch! is listed on Textopian as a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, dated 1921 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Date: 1921 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Social Commentary, Coming-of-Age, Short Story
- Length: 13,797 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 261 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for O Russet Witch! by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- 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 O Russet Witch!?
- How does this novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative focuses on character development, emotional depth, and the exploration of complex themes such as love, disillusionment, and the passage of time.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around the romantic interactions between Merlin and Caroline, highlighting themes of unrequited love and longing.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms and the struggles of individuals within the context of early 20th-century urban life.
- Coming-of-Age — Merlin's experiences reflect a journey of personal growth and self-discovery amidst the backdrop of his romantic aspirations.
Tags
romance · drama · American literature · 20th century · short story · love · loss · identity · social class · nostalgia · youth · ambition