The Cords of Vanity

Name: The Cords of Vanity
Author: James Branch Cabell

The narrative follows a young man, Robert Townsend, as he navigates the complexities of love, ambition, and societal expectations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The story begins with his youthful infatuation with Stella, a girl he meets at a summer resort. Their innocent interactions are marked by awkwardness and the burgeoning awareness of adult emotions, particularly the fear of mortality and the weight of societal expectations. As the plot unfolds, Robert's life is intertwined with various women, including Bettie Hamlyn, a childhood friend, and Gillian Hardress, a married woman with whom he becomes entangled. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the struggle for identity against the backdrop of societal norms. Robert grapples with his artistic ambitions, seeking to write a novel that captures the essence of youthful love and the complexities of human relationships. Stella's eventual marriage to Peter Blagden serves as a turning point, highlighting the sacrifices made in the name of love and ambition. Robert's reflections on his relationships reveal a deep-seated longing for connection and understanding, as he confronts the realities of adulthood and the inevitability of change. The story culminates in Robert's realization that true love is often unattainable, and that the pursuit of artistic expression can be both a refuge and a source of pain. His journey is marked by moments of introspection, humor, and a poignant exploration of the human condition, ultimately leading him to a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him. The narrative is rich with character development, social commentary, and a nuanced portrayal of the complexities of love and ambition in a rapidly changing society.

By James Branch Cabell · First published 1915 · Genre: Fantasy, Satire, Philosophical Fiction · 60 chapters · 103,416 words

First lines

When I first knew Stella she was within a month of being fifteen, which is for womankind an unattractive age. There were a startling number of corners to her then, and she had but vague notions as to the management of her hands and feet. In consequence they were perpetually turning up in unexpected places and surprising her by their size and number. Yes, she was very hopelessly fifteen; and she was used to laugh, unnecessarily, in a nervous fashion, approximating to a whinny, and when engaged in conversation she patted down her skirts six times to the minute.

What this Textopian page supports

The Cords of Vanity is listed on Textopian as a novel by James Branch Cabell, dated 1915 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: James Branch Cabell
Date: 1915 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Satire, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance
Length: 103,416 words
Structure: 166 chapters, 1,678 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fantasy — The novel incorporates fantastical elements and explores themes of vanity and human nature in a mythical context.
Satire — The narrative critiques societal norms and human follies, particularly vanity, through humor and irony.
Philosophical Fiction — The book delves into philosophical themes regarding existence, identity, and the nature of desire.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is characterized by rich prose and deep character exploration, typical of literary fiction.