The Story of Penelope Stout
A young woman's life is turned upside down when she discovers a mysterious letter that reveals her husband may have been murdered by his business partner.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1940 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Biography · 3,368 words
First lines
In the early days of New Jersey, the Dutch settlers suffered very much from Indian hostilities. It was at the time that New Amsterdam, afterwards New York, was in the possession of the Dutch, that a ship came from Holland, bringing passengers who intended to settle in the new country. The ship was unfortunately wrecked in the neighborhood of Sandy Hook; but all the passengers managed to save themselves, and reached the shore.
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of Penelope Stout is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1940 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Frank R. Stockton
- Date: 1940 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Biography, Drama, Romance
- Length: 3,368 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Story of Penelope Stout by Frank R. Stockton
- 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 Story of Penelope Stout?
- How does this short story by Frank R. Stockton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in the early days of New Jersey, involving real historical events and figures, such as the Dutch settlers and interactions with Native Americans.
- Adventure — The story includes elements of survival, danger, and exploration, as Penelope endures shipwreck, Indian attacks, and wilderness challenges.
- Biography — The plot centers around the life and experiences of Penelope Stout, detailing her personal journey and significant life events.
- Drama — The narrative is rich with emotional and interpersonal conflicts, including Penelope's struggle for survival and her interactions with both settlers and Native Americans.
Tags
Historical Fiction · American Literature · Pioneer Life · New Jersey History · Colonial Era · Feminist Themes · Strong Female Protagonist · Marriage and Family · Community Building · Self-Reliance · Resilience · Survival Story