A Farmer's Wife by J.H. Willard
The novel revolves around the life of a rural woman who struggles to maintain her family's farm amidst financial difficulties and personal hardships. Her husband's infidelity and lack of support exacerbate her situation, leading to feelings of isolation and desperation. The story explores themes of love, loyalty, and survival in the face of adversity.
By J.H. Willard · First published 1901 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance · 3,284 words
First lines
In the district called Ephrath, belonging to the tribe of Judah, stood the city of Bethlehem, or "house of bread. " It was a city with walls and gates, and lay between fruitful hills and well-watered valleys. There among pleasant cornfields and pasture lands lived a man named Elimelech, which means "my God is my King. " He was descended from one of the princes of Judah, and was a man of means and consequence.
What this Textopian page supports
A Farmer's Wife is listed on Textopian as a short story by J.H. Willard, dated 1901 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: J.H. Willard
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Family Saga, Drama
- Length: 3,284 words
- Structure: 1 section, 54 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Farmer's Wife by J.H. Willard
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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- How does this short story by J.H. Willard fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context, with detailed descriptions of ancient customs, laws, and societal norms.
- Religious Fiction — The story incorporates themes and characters from religious texts, focusing on faith, divine providence, and moral lessons.
- Romance — Central to the plot is the romantic relationship between Ruth and Boaz, highlighting themes of love, loyalty, and marriage.
- Family Saga — The narrative follows the lives and fortunes of a family over time, emphasizing generational ties and legacy.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Agriculture · Rural Life · Marriage · Domesticity · Family Dynamics · Social Class · 19th Century · Realism · Literary Fiction · Character Study