A Woman's Burden by Fergus Hume
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman named Lucy, who is forced to take on various responsibilities after her father's death. She becomes the sole breadwinner for her family and struggles to make ends meet. Meanwhile, she falls in love with a man from a higher social class, but their relationship is complicated by their differing backgrounds. As Lucy navigates her difficult circumstances, she must confront the societal expectations placed upon her as a woman and the limited opportunities available to her.
By Fergus Hume · First published 1895 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama · 34 chapters · 116,240 words
First lines
It was midnight -- midnight on Waterloo Bridge. A plague was over the city -- the concentrated vomit of a million and more chimneys wrapped all in an Egyptian darkness.
The miracle of Moses could not have produced a deeper gloom -- an atmosphere more impenetrable. It clung to the skin, it even pressed against the eyeballs. It might in truth have been that very outer darkness which we are taught is reserved for those amongst us who are sinners.
What this Textopian page supports
A Woman's Burden is listed on Textopian as a novel by Fergus Hume, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Fergus Hume
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama, Mystery, Romance
- Length: 116,240 words
- Structure: 34 chapters, 2,445 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Woman's Burden by Fergus Hume
- 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 A Woman's Burden?
- How does this novel by Fergus Hume fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores complex themes of poverty, morality, and human relationships, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal issues such as class disparity and the struggles of the impoverished in urban settings.
- Drama — The intense emotional conflicts and character interactions create a dramatic narrative.
- Mystery — Elements of suspense and the unknown, particularly surrounding the characters' motivations and backgrounds, contribute to a mystery aspect.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Crime Fiction · Detective Novel · Victorian Era · Australian Literature · Gothic Elements · Dark Atmosphere · Female Protagonist · Social Commentary · Women's Rights
Contents
- A Queer Adventure
- Mrs. Dacre Darrow
- 5a, Rosary Mansions
- A Strange Arrangement
- A Red Rag to a Bull
- Jabez Redivivus
- Poverty Hall
- Mrs. Parsley's Protege
- Mr. Barton's Visitor
- Dicky's Discovery
- Behind the Scenes
- Just in Time
- Mrs. Darrow's Bombshell
- Some Mutual Compliments and a Confession
- In the Woods
- Mrs. Darrow Sympathises
- Shorty
- Mrs. Parsley Sees a Ghost
- The Shadow
- More Trouble
- The Squire's Secret
- The Major's Point of View
- Unmasked
- In the Depths
- Miriam Keeps an Appointment
- Jabez Seeks an Old Friend
- Mrs. Darrow Becomes Refractory
- The End of Gerald Arkel
- On Christmas Night
- A Queer Story Queerly Told
- A Nine Days' Wonder
- A Little Feminine Diplomacy
- A Roman Father
- The Reward of Miriam