An Item of Fashionable Intelligence
The novel explores the intersection of social class and identity through the story of a young woman who navigates the complexities of high society while hiding her true nature. It delves into themes of deception, morality, and the constraints placed on women during this time period. Through its protagonist's experiences, the novel critiques the societal expectations that govern women's lives and the consequences of conforming to or rebelling against these norms.
By Jerome K. Jerome · First published 1865 · Genre: Social Satire, Romantic Comedy, Character Study · 7,532 words
First lines
Speaking personally, I do not like the Countess of -- . She is not the type of woman I could love. I hesitate the less giving expression to this sentiment by reason of the conviction that the Countess of -- - would not be unduly depressed even were the fact to reach her ears. I cannot conceive the Countess of -- -'s being troubled by the opinion concerning her of any being, human or divine, other than the Countess of -- .
What this Textopian page supports
An Item of Fashionable Intelligence is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jerome K. Jerome, dated 1865 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jerome K. Jerome
- Date: 1865 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Social Satire, Romantic Comedy, Character Study, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 7,532 words
- Structure: 1 section, 133 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Item of Fashionable Intelligence by Jerome K. Jerome
- 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 An Item of Fashionable Intelligence?
- How does this short story by Jerome K. Jerome fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Social Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Rivals by James Weldon Johnson
- At The Sign Of The Cat And Racket by Honore De Balzac
- Reginald Blake Financier And Cad by K. Jerome
- Quality Street by J. M. Barrie
- The Social Triangle by O. Henry
- October And June by O. Henry
Genres
- Social Satire — The work critiques social class distinctions and the dynamics of power within relationships, particularly focusing on the roles of women and men in society.
- Romantic Comedy — The narrative includes elements of romance and humor, particularly in the interactions between the characters and the misunderstandings that arise from their social positions.
- Character Study — The story delves deeply into the personalities and motivations of its characters, particularly the Countess and Mary Sewell, exploring their complexities and growth.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, the work reflects the societal norms and expectations of the time, particularly regarding marriage and class.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Romance · Comedy · Literary Fiction · 19th Century Literature · English Novel · Upper Class Life · Marriage · Love Triangle · Deception · Moral Ambiguity