The Fur Coat by Hjalmar Soderberg
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman who marries an older man for financial security and social status. The story explores themes of love, class, and identity through her relationships with various characters, including her husband's family members and a younger man who represents freedom and passion.
By Hjalmar Soderberg · First published 1908 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary · 1,591 words
First lines
It was a cold winter that year. People shrank up in the chill and grew smaller, all except those who had furs. Judge Richardt had a big fur coat. It almost belonged, moreover, to his official position, for he was managing director of a brand-new company. His old friend Dr. Henck, on the contrary, had no fur coat: he had instead a pretty wife and three children. Dr. Henck was thin and pale. Some people grow fat with marriage, others grow thin. Dr. Henck had grown thin, and remained so on this particular Christmas Eve.
What this Textopian page supports
The Fur Coat is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hjalmar Soderberg, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hjalmar Soderberg
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama, Short Story
- Length: 1,591 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fur Coat by Hjalmar Soderberg
- 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 Fur Coat?
- How does this short story by Hjalmar Soderberg fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Finer Grain by Henry James
- The Kiss by Hjalmar Soderberg
- My Uncle Jules by Guy De Maupassant
- Bloom by Hjalmar Soderberg
- The Marriages by Henry James
- A New Years Gift by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, social status, and human relationships through nuanced character development and introspective narrative.
- Psychological Fiction — The protagonist's internal struggles and reflections on self-worth and societal perception are central to the narrative.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal values related to wealth, appearance, and the impact of social status on personal relationships.
- Drama — The emotional tensions and interpersonal conflicts among characters create a dramatic atmosphere.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Swedish Literature · Realism · Marriage · Infidelity · Class Conflict · Social Commentary · Character Study · Inner Turmoil · Emotional Crisis · Relationship Drama · Family Dynamics