Ma'am? by Gouverneur Morris (1920)
Gouverneur Morris's Ma'am? is a novel that follows the story of a young woman named Ma'am who navigates her way through life in New York City during the early 20th century. The book explores themes of identity, love, and societal expectations as Ma'am struggles to find her place in the world.
By Gouverneur Morris · First published 1920 · Genre: Romance, Comedy, Adventure · 9,130 words
First lines
In most affairs, except those which related to his matrimonial ventures, Marcus Antonius Saterlee was a patient man. On three occasions "an ardent temperament and the heart of a dove," as he himself had expressed it, had corralled a wife in worship and tenderness within his house. The first had been the love of his childhood; the wooing of the second had lasted but six weeks; that of the third but three. He rejoiced in the fact that he had been a good husband to three good women. He lamented that all were dead. Now and then he squirmed his bull head around on his bull body, and glanced across the aisle at the showy woman who was daintily picking a chicken wing. He himself was not toying with beefsteak, boiled eggs, mashed potatoes, cauliflower, lima, and string beans. He was eating them. Each time he looked at the lady he muttered something to his heart of a dove:
What this Textopian page supports
Ma'am? is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gouverneur Morris, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Gouverneur Morris
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Comedy, Adventure, Drama, Western
- Length: 9,130 words
- Structure: 1 section, 240 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ma'am? by Gouverneur Morris
- 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 Ma'am??
- How does this novel by Gouverneur Morris fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Lady Kilpatrick by Robert W. Buchanan
- The Maid by Gilbert Parker
- Isaline And I by Grant Allen
- Muggless Supreme Moment by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Miss Sarah Jack Of Spanish Town Jamaica by Anthony Trollope
- The Other Englishman by Stanley J. Weyman
Genres
- Romance — The central plot revolves around romantic relationships, including the protagonist's past marriages and his son's impending marriage.
- Comedy — The narrative includes humorous elements, such as the interactions between characters and the absurdity of certain situations.
- Adventure — The story involves a journey with unexpected events, including a train derailment and a challenging river crossing.
- Drama — The book explores complex emotional themes, such as family dynamics, love, and personal growth.
Tags
historical fiction · American literature · 19th century · romance · social commentary · class struggle · gender roles · family dynamics · identity · cultural conflict · adventure · mystery