The Beguiling of Peter Griggs
The Beguiling of Peter Griggs is a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith that tells the story of a young man named Peter Griggs who becomes enamored with a beautiful woman named Marion. The book follows their relationship as it develops and ultimately leads to tragedy.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1897 · Genre: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama · 6,031 words
First lines
Peter was in his room when I knocked -- up two flights of stairs off Washington Square -- Eighth Street really -- in one of those houses with a past -- of mahogany, open wood fires, old Madeira in silver coasters pushed across hand-polished tables, -- that kind of a past.
None of all this could be seen in its present. The marble steps outside were worn down like the teeth of an old horse, and as yellow; the iron railings were bent and cankered by rust; the front door was in blisters; the halls bare, steps uncarpeted, and the spindling mahogany balusters showed here and there substitutes of pine.
What this Textopian page supports
The Beguiling of Peter Griggs is listed on Textopian as a short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance, Historical Fiction
- Length: 6,031 words
- Structure: 1 section, 112 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Beguiling of Peter Griggs 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Beguiling of Peter Griggs?
- How does this short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fiction — The book is a work of narrative prose that tells a story created from the author's imagination.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style and thematic depth suggest a focus on character development and narrative complexity.
- Drama — The plot involves emotional and relational conflicts that drive the narrative forward.
- Romance — Elements of romantic relationships are central to the story's development.
Tags
romance · mystery · historical fiction · adventure · suspense · character study · American literature · 19th century · social commentary · love story · betrayal · identity