Little Saint Elizabeth
The story revolves around a young American girl named Betha who is nicknamed Little Saint Elizabeth due to her exceptional kindness and generosity. After being orphaned, she moves to France to live with her aunt, Madame Leblanc, who is cold and unloving. Despite the harsh treatment, Betha's innate goodness and compassion inspire those around her, including her aunt's servants and a young boy named Remy. As the story unfolds, Betha's presence transforms the lives of everyone she encounters, spreading joy and warmth in a previously gloomy atmosphere.
By Frances Hodgson Burnett · First published 1909 · Genre: Children's Literature, Religious Fiction, Coming-of-Age · 10,386 words
First lines
She had not been brought up in America at all. She had been born in France, in a beautiful _chateau_, and she had been born heiress to a great fortune, but, nevertheless, just now she felt as if she was very poor, indeed. And yet her home was in one of the most splendid houses in New York. She had a lovely suite of apartments of her own, though she was only eleven years old. She had had her own carriage and a saddle horse, a train of masters, and governesses, and servants, and was regarded by all the children of the neighborhood as a sort of grand and mysterious little princess, whose incomings and outgoings were to be watched with the greatest interest.
What this Textopian page supports
Little Saint Elizabeth is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frances Hodgson Burnett, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Religious Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 10,386 words
- Structure: 1 section, 172 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Little Saint Elizabeth 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
- 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 Little Saint Elizabeth?
- How does this short story by Frances Hodgson Burnett fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is primarily aimed at a young audience, featuring a child protagonist and themes suitable for children.
- Religious Fiction — The story heavily incorporates themes of faith, charity, and the life of a saint, reflecting religious values and moral lessons.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist, Elizabeth, undergoes significant personal growth and development as she navigates her identity and responsibilities.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a historical context, the story reflects societal norms and values of the time, particularly regarding class and religion.
Tags
Children's Fiction · Classic Literature · Christian Fiction · Religious Themes · Inspirational · Spirituality · Faith · Morality Tales · Virtue · Goodness · Kindness · Selflessness