Mrs. Pendleton's Four-In-Hand
Mrs. Pendleton's Four-In-Hand is a novel by Gertrude Atherton that tells the story of Mrs. Pendleton, a wealthy widow who lives in San Francisco during the early 20th century. The book follows her as she navigates through various social and personal challenges while trying to maintain her status in society.
By Gertrude Atherton · First published 1897 · Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama · 6 chapters · 13,108 words
First lines
Jessica, her hands clenched and teeth set, stood looking with hard eyes at a small heap of letters lying on the floor. The sun, blazing through the open window, made her blink unconsciously, and the ocean's deep voice rising to the Newport sands seemed to reiterate: -
"Contempt! Contempt!"
What this Textopian page supports
Mrs. Pendleton's Four-In-Hand is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gertrude Atherton, dated 1897 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: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Comedy, Drama, Social Commentary, Satire
- Length: 13,108 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 374 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mrs. Pendleton's Four-In-Hand by Gertrude Atherton
- 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 Mrs. Pendleton's Four-In-Hand?
- 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 romantic entanglements and proposals, with a focus on relationships and emotional dynamics.
- Comedy — The narrative includes elements of humor and irony, particularly in the protagonist's handling of multiple suitors and the ensuing misunderstandings.
- Drama — The story contains dramatic elements, such as emotional confrontations and personal conflicts, which drive the narrative forward.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and expectations, particularly regarding marriage and women's roles in society.
Tags
romance · historical fiction · society · class struggle · women's rights · marriage · love triangle · family dynamics · social commentary · 19th century · American literature · character development