La Perdida by Gertrude Atherton
La Perdida is a novel by Gertrude Atherton that tells the story of a young woman named Maria who is forced to leave her home in Mexico and travel to California during the Gold Rush. Along the way, she faces many challenges and hardships, including poverty, discrimination, and violence. Despite these obstacles, Maria remains determined to find a better life for herself and her family. The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and survival in a harsh and unforgiving world.
By Gertrude Atherton · First published 1904 · Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama · 1,504 words
First lines
On her fourteenth birthday they had married her to an old man, and at sixteen she had met and loved a fire-hearted young vaquero. The old husband had twisted his skinny fingers around her arm and dragged her before the Alcalde, who had ordered her beautiful black braids cut close to her neck, and sentenced her to sweep the streets. Carlos, the tempter of that childish unhappy heart, was flung into prison. Such were law and justice in California before the Americans came.
What this Textopian page supports
La Perdida is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gertrude Atherton, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Gertrude Atherton
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama, Adventure, Tragedy
- Length: 1,504 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for La Perdida by Gertrude Atherton
- 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 La Perdida?
- How does this novel by Gertrude Atherton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romance — The central plot revolves around a forbidden love affair between a young woman and a vaquero, highlighting themes of passion and desire.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in California before American rule, providing a backdrop of historical context and cultural dynamics.
- Drama — The narrative is filled with intense emotional conflicts, societal judgment, and personal struggles.
- Adventure — The escape and pursuit elements, including the dramatic prison break and flight to the mountains, add an adventurous aspect.
Tags
loss · identity · self-discovery · family · heritage · cultural conflict · feminism · society · relationships · personal struggle · emotional turmoil · historical context