Half-A-Dozen Housekeeppers
The story revolves around a group of six women who are housekeepers at a boarding school for girls. They live together in the dormitory and share their lives with each other. The novel explores their relationships, personalities, and struggles as they navigate their roles as caregivers and educators. The main character is a young woman named Dolly, who is kind-hearted but also naive and impressionable. She becomes embroiled in a series of events that challenge her values and force her to grow up. Throughout the book, themes of friendship, loyalty, and personal growth are explored. The novel also touches on issues such as poverty, class differences, and the challenges faced by women in positions of authority. The story is told through a series of vignettes, each focusing on one of the housekeepers or the girls they care for. This narrative structure allows the reader to gain insight into the characters' thoughts and feelings, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy. Ultimately, the novel presents a nuanced portrayal of women's lives in the late 19th century, highlighting both their strengths and weaknesses.
By Kate Douglas Wiggin · First published 1883 · Genre: Fiction, Comedy, Domestic Fiction · 6 chapters · 23,581 words
First lines
MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb. The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay. The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers. The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
What this Textopian page supports
Half-A-Dozen Housekeeppers is listed on Textopian as a novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin, dated 1883 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Kate Douglas Wiggin
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Comedy, Domestic Fiction, Social Commentary, Children's Literature
- Length: 23,581 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 389 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Fiction — The narrative is a work of fiction that explores the lives and experiences of various characters.
- Comedy — The book employs humor and light-hearted situations to engage readers.
- Domestic Fiction — The plot revolves around household themes and the dynamics of domestic life.
- Social Commentary — The story reflects on societal norms and the roles of women in domestic settings.
Tags
Domestic Fiction · Social Commentary · Humor · Satire · Family Life · Marriage · Women's Roles · Victorian Era · American Literature · Realism · Comedy of Manners · Class Conflict
Contents
- Bell Winship's Experiment
- In the Firelight
- An Emergency Case
- A Winter Picnic
- Old Maids and Young
- "the End of the Play"