The Wicked-Stepmother
The Wicked-Stepmother is a novel by George Borrow that tells the story of a young girl named Maria who is mistreated and abused by her stepmother. The book follows Maria's journey as she tries to escape from her stepmother's clutches and find happiness in life. Along the way, she encounters various characters who help or hinder her progress. In the end, Maria is able to overcome her difficulties and find a new home with people who love and care for her.
By George Borrow · First published 1829 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy · 661 words
First lines
Sir Peter o'er to the island strayed -- _All underneath a linden wide_.
He weds Mettelil, so fair a maid -- _In such peril with her through the forest ride_.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wicked-Stepmother is listed on Textopian as a short story by George Borrow, dated 1829 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: George Borrow
- Date: 1829 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy, Poetry, Drama
- Length: 661 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wicked-Stepmother by George Borrow
- 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 The Wicked-Stepmother?
- How does this short story by George Borrow fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Beauty And The Beast by Marie Leprince De Beaumont
- Little Snowdrop by Dinah Mulock
- The Frog Prince by Dinah Mulock
- Donkey Skin by Charles Perrault
- Time And Tide by George Macdonald
- Born Of Water by George Macdonald
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative includes elements typical of fairy tales, such as a wicked stepmother, enchantments, and a moral resolution.
- Folklore — The story is structured like a traditional folk tale with archetypal characters and a simple plot.
- Fantasy — The presence of magical elements and spells aligns with the fantasy genre.
- Poetry — The text is written in a poetic form with rhyming couplets and a lyrical style.
Tags
fairy tale · stepmother · family dynamics · fantasy · morality · adventure · betrayal · redemption · magic · children's literature · relationships · conflict