The Tragedy of a Snob
The Tragedy of a Snob is a novel by Gertrude Atherton that tells the story of a young woman named Diana who marries a wealthy man but struggles to fit into his social circle. The book explores themes of class, identity, and self-discovery as Diana navigates her new life and tries to find her place in society.
By Gertrude Atherton · First published 1920 · Genre: Social Commentary, Psychological Fiction, Realism · 7 chapters · 11,242 words
First lines
The first twenty-three years of Andrew Webb's life were passed in that tranquillity of mind and body induced by regular work, love of exercise, and a good digestion. He lived in a little flat in Harlem, with his widowed mother and a younger sister who was ambitious to become an instructor of the young and to prove that woman may be financially independent of man. At that time Andrew's salary of thirty dollars a week, earned in a large savings-bank of which he was one of many book-keepers, covered the family's needs. Mr. Webb had died when his son was sixteen, leaving something under two thousand dollars and a furnished flat in Harlem. For a time the outlook was gloomy. Andrew left school and went to work. Good at figures, stoically steady, he rose by degrees to command a fair remuneration. A brother of Mrs. Webb, currently known as "Uncle Sandy Armstrong," lived in miserly fashion on the old homestead in New Jersey. Occasionally he sent his sister a ten-dollar bill.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tragedy of a Snob is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gertrude Atherton, dated 1920 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: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Social Commentary, Psychological Fiction, Realism, Drama, Satire
- Length: 11,242 words
- Structure: 7 chapters, 149 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Tragedy of a Snob 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 Tragedy of a Snob?
- How does this short story by Gertrude Atherton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Social Commentary first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Serge Panine Volume Iii by Georges Ohnet
- Serge Panine Volume I by Georges Ohnet
- Mrs Balfame by Gertrude Atherton
- The Duchess Of Kingston by Sabine Baring Gould
- Serge Panine Volume Iv by Georges Ohnet
- Serge Panine Volume Ii by Georges Ohnet
Genres
- Social Commentary — The narrative explores themes of class distinction, social ambition, and the desire for acceptance within high society.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the protagonist's internal struggles, desires, and the psychological impact of his social aspirations.
- Realism — The book presents a realistic portrayal of societal norms and the protagonist's life, focusing on everyday experiences and social dynamics.
- Drama — The plot is driven by the protagonist's emotional and social conflicts, creating a dramatic tension throughout the narrative.
Tags
tragedy · snobbery · social class · aristocracy · identity · pride · prejudice · romance · betrayal · society · ambition · disillusionment