A Fair Barbarian
The story revolves around Octavia, a beautiful and kind-hearted American girl who travels to England to marry a wealthy lord, Lord St. Maur. However, she soon discovers that her fiancé is cold, arrogant, and only interested in her wealth. Feeling trapped, Octavia befriends a young gypsy boy named Vadka, who teaches her about freedom and living life on one's own terms. As she spends more time with Vadka, Octavia begins to question her engagement and the societal expectations placed upon her.
By Frances Hodgson Burnett · First published 1881 · Genre: Fiction, Social Commentary, Comedy · 26 chapters · 52,433 words
First lines
Slowbridge had been shaken to its foundations.
What this Textopian page supports
A Fair Barbarian is listed on Textopian as a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, dated 1881 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Date: 1881 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Social Commentary, Comedy, Coming-of-Age, Romance
- Length: 52,433 words
- Structure: 26 chapters, 1,374 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Fair Barbarian by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Fair Barbarian?
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Genres
- Fiction — The book is a work of fiction that explores the lives and interactions of its characters in a fictional setting.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques social norms and class distinctions in a small English town, particularly regarding the arrival of an American character.
- Comedy — The book employs humor and wit to depict the cultural clash and misunderstandings between characters, particularly through Octavia's character.
- Coming-of-Age — The story involves themes of personal growth and adaptation, particularly through Octavia's experiences as she navigates her new environment.
Tags
Romance · Novel · Classic · Literature · American Fiction · 19th Century · Social Class · Culture Clash · Fish out of Water · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Love Story
Contents
- Miss Octavia Bassett
- "an Investment, Anyway."
- L'Argentville
- Lady Theobald
- Lucia
- Accidental
- "I should Like to See more of Slowbridge."
- Shares Looking up
- White Muslin
- Announcing Mr. Barold
- A Slight Indiscretion
- An Invitation
- Intentions
- A Clerical Visit
- Superior Advantages
- Croquet
- Advantages
- Contrast
- An Experiment
- Peculiar to Nevada
- Lord Lansdowne
- "you have Made it Livelier."
- "May I Go?"
- The Garden-Party
- "Somebody Else."
- "Jack."