The Head of a Priest
The Head of a Priest is a novel by Gertrude Atherton that tells the story of a young woman named Margaret who becomes involved in a love triangle with two men, one of whom is a priest. The book explores themes of religion, morality, and passion as Margaret struggles to reconcile her feelings for both men.
By Gertrude Atherton · First published 1905 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama · 9,680 words
First lines
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"Dona Concepcion had the greatest romance of us all; so she should not chide too bitterly."
What this Textopian page supports
The Head of a Priest is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gertrude Atherton, dated 1905 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: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama, Adventure, Gothic
- Length: 9,680 words
- Structure: 1 section, 186 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Head of a Priest 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 The Head of a Priest?
- How does this novel by Gertrude Atherton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Covenant by Charles Kingsley
- Pabo The Priest The Fall Of The Lot by Sabine Baring Gould
- Pabo The Priest In Ogofau by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Sacrificial Altar by Gertrude Atherton
- The Spirit And The Flesh by Charles Kingsley
- Pabo The Priest Betrayed by Sabine Baring Gould
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in early 18th century California, with historical references to the Presidio, the Governor, and the societal norms of the time.
- Romance — The plot centers around romantic entanglements, including the tragic romance of Dona Concepcion and the forbidden love between Pilar and the priest.
- Drama — The narrative is filled with intense emotional conflicts, personal struggles, and dramatic confrontations, such as Pilar's punishment and her mother's wrath.
- Adventure — The story includes elements of adventure, such as the rescue mission in the mountains and the escape plan involving a sea voyage.
Tags
religion · priesthood · faith · spirituality · morality · conflict · society · family · sacrifice · redemption · identity · tradition