Death and the Woman
Death and the Woman is a novel by Gertrude Atherton that explores themes of love, loss, and mortality. The story follows a young woman named Margaret who falls in love with a man named John, only to have him taken away from her by death. Throughout the novel, Margaret grapples with her grief and struggles to find meaning in life without her beloved. Along the way, she encounters other characters who help her on her journey of self-discovery. The book is a poignant exploration of the human experience and the ways in which we cope with loss and tragedy.
By Gertrude Atherton · First published 1893 · Genre: Gothic, Horror, Psychological Fiction · 2,379 words
First lines
(This story first appeared in _Vanity Fair_, London, in 1892)
Her husband was dying, and she was alone with him. Nothing could exceed the desolation of her surroundings. She and the man who was going from her were in the third-floor-back of a New York boarding-house. It was summer, and the other boarders were in the country; all the servants except the cook had been dismissed, and she, when not working, slept profoundly on the fifth floor. The landlady also was out of town on a brief holiday.
What this Textopian page supports
Death and the Woman is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gertrude Atherton, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Gertrude Atherton
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic, Horror, Psychological Fiction, Drama, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,379 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Death and the Woman by Gertrude Atherton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Death and the Woman?
- How does this short story by Gertrude Atherton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Death And The Woman by Gertrude Atherton
- The Heart Of The Water by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Rock And The Sea by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Death Ellis Bell by Charlotte Bronte
- Daughters Of The Vicar by D. H. Lawrence
- Views Of Life Acton Bell by Charlotte Bronte
Genres
- Gothic — The story features themes of death, isolation, and psychological terror, common in Gothic literature.
- Horror — The narrative builds suspense and fear, particularly through the protagonist's dread of death's approach.
- Psychological Fiction — The focus on the protagonist's mental state and emotional turmoil is central to the story.
- Drama — The intense emotional experiences and personal conflict are key elements of dramatic storytelling.
Tags
death · woman · literature · fiction · 19th century · American literature · gender roles · society · mortality · relationships · family · identity