Caleb West
"Caleb West" by Francis Hopkinson Smith is a novel set in the American South during Reconstruction. The story follows Caleb, a former Confederate soldier who becomes involved with a group of carpetbaggers and scalawags trying to take advantage of the situation for their own gain. Along the way, he falls in love with a young woman named Marion and must choose between his loyalty to her and his desire for wealth and power. The book explores themes of corruption, greed, and redemption against the backdrop of post-Civil War America.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1878 · Genre: Fiction, Romance, Drama · 26 chapters · 103,247 words
First lines
The rising sun burned its way through a low-lying mist that hid the river, and flashed its search-light rays over the sleeping city. The blackened tops of the tall stacks caught the signal, and answered in belching clouds of gray steam that turned to gold as they floated upwards in the morning air. The long rows of the many-eyed tenements cresting the hill blinked in the dazzling light, threw wide their shutters, and waved curling smoke flags from countless chimneys.
Narrow, silent alleys awoke. Doors opened and shut. Single figures swinging dinner-pails, and groups of girls with baskets, hurried to and fro. The rumbling of carts was heard and shrill street cries.
What this Textopian page supports
Caleb West is listed on Textopian as a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1878 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: 1878 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Romance, Drama, Historical, Adventure
- Length: 103,247 words
- Structure: 26 chapters, 1,584 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Caleb West 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 Caleb West?
- How does this novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Felix Oday by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Country Sentiment Tom Taylor by Robert Graves
- The Story Of A Girl And A Hogshead by Frank R. Stockton
- Long Jim by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Peter by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- The House Of Fulfilment by George Madden Martin
Genres
- Fiction — The book is a work of narrative prose that tells a story created from the author's imagination.
- Romance — The plot includes significant romantic relationships and emotional experiences between characters.
- Drama — The story involves intense character development and a focus on emotional themes and conflicts.
- Historical — The setting and context reflect a specific historical period, providing a backdrop for the narrative.
Tags
adventure · friendship · self-discovery · coming-of-age · family · loyalty · courage · resilience · American literature · 19th century · social issues · identity
Contents
- The Cape Ann Sloop
- A Morning's Mail
- Captain Brandt at the Throttle
- Among the Blackfish and Tomcods
- Aunty Bell's Kitchen
- A Little Dinner for Five
- Betty's First Patient
- The "Heave Ho" of Lonny Bowles
- What the Butcher Saw
- Strains from Bock's 'Cello
- Captain Joe's Telegram
- Captain Joe's Creed
- A Shanty Door
- Two Envelopes
- A Narrow Path
- Under the Willows
- The Song of the Fire
- The Equinoctial Gale
- From the Lantern Deck
- At the Pines
- The Record of Nickles, the Cook
- After the Battle
- A Broken Draw
- The Swinging Gate
- Under the Pitiless Stars
- Caleb Trims his Lights