Mere Girauds Little Daughter
The story revolves around a young girl who is the daughter of a French actress. The mother's desire for fame and wealth leads her to abandon her child in the care of an English family. As the girl grows up, she struggles with her identity and sense of belonging, torn between her French heritage and her English upbringing.
By Frances Hodgson Burnett · First published 1886 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Coming-of-Age · 7,481 words
First lines
"Prut! " said Annot, her sabots clattering loudly on the brick floor as she moved more rapidly in her wrath. "Prut! Madame Giraud, indeed! There was a time, and it was but two years ago, that she was but plain Mere Giraud, and no better than the rest of us; and it seems to me, neighbors, that it is not well to show pride because one has the luck to be favored by fortune. Where, forsooth, would our 'Madame' Giraud stand if luck had not given her a daughter pretty enough to win a rich husband?"
"True, indeed! " echoed two of the gossips who were her admiring listeners. "True, beyond doubt. Where, indeed?"
What this Textopian page supports
Mere Girauds Little Daughter is listed on Textopian as a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, dated 1886 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: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Coming-of-Age, Social Commentary, Romance
- Length: 7,481 words
- Structure: 1 section, 157 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mere Girauds Little Daughter by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Mere Girauds Little Daughter?
- How does this novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett 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 social class, family dynamics, and personal identity through rich character development and nuanced storytelling.
- Drama — The narrative is driven by emotional conflicts and interpersonal relationships, particularly between Mere Giraud and her children, highlighting their struggles and aspirations.
- Coming-of-Age — The story follows the growth and transformation of Laure as she navigates her transition from a village girl to a woman of higher social standing.
- Social Commentary — The book critiques societal norms and expectations regarding wealth, beauty, and familial duty, particularly in the context of rural versus urban life.
Tags
Classic Literature · Children's Fiction · Family Relationships · Coming of Age · Growing Up · Self-Discovery · Identity · Belonging · Orphan · Adoption · France · Rural Life