A Kentucky Cinderella
A Kentucky Cinderella is a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith that tells the story of a young woman named Mary who lives in rural Kentucky with her stepmother and stepsisters. Despite facing many challenges, including poverty and abuse from her family, Mary remains determined to make something of herself. With the help of a kind neighbor and her own hard work, she eventually finds love and happiness. The book is known for its vivid descriptions of life in rural Kentucky during the late 19th century and its themes of perseverance and self-determination.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1893 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Romance, Historical Fiction · 8,927 words
First lines
I was bending over my easel, hard at work upon a full-length portrait of a young girl in a costume of fifty years ago, when the door of my studio opened softly and Aunt Chloe came in.
"Good-mawnin', suh! I did n' think you'd come to-day, bein' a Sunday," she said, with a slight bend of her knees. "I'll jes' sweep up a lil mite; doan' ye move, I won't 'sturb ye."
What this Textopian page supports
A Kentucky Cinderella is listed on Textopian as a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama, Regional Fiction
- Length: 8,927 words
- Structure: 1 section, 109 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Kentucky Cinderella by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- 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 Kentucky Cinderella?
- How does this novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story follows a classic Cinderella narrative with a rags-to-riches theme.
- Romance — Central to the plot is a romantic relationship that drives the story forward.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context are rooted in a specific historical period in Kentucky.
- Drama — The story contains dramatic elements and emotional conflicts.
Tags
romance · Southern fiction · Cinderella story · family dynamics · social class · love · betrayal · redemption · coming of age · Kentucky · historical · women's roles