The Serpent by Kate Douglas Wiggin
This novel tells the story of a young woman who returns to her hometown after being away for many years and becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and secrets. The narrative explores themes of love, family, and identity as the protagonist navigates her complicated past and present.
By Kate Douglas Wiggin · First published 1887 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Drama · 2,125 words
First lines
Rose Wiley had the brightest eyes in Edgewood. It was impossible to look at her without realizing that her physical sight was perfect. What mysterious species of blindness is it that descends, now and then, upon human creatures, and renders them incapable of judgment or discrimination?
Claude Merrill was a glove salesman in a Boston fancy-goods store. The calling itself is undoubtedly respectable, and it is quite conceivable that a man can sell gloves and still be a man; but Claude Merrill was a manikin. He inhabited a very narrow space behind a very short counter, but to him it seemed the earth and the fullness thereof.
What this Textopian page supports
The Serpent is listed on Textopian as a short story by Kate Douglas Wiggin, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Kate Douglas Wiggin
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Drama, Social Commentary, Coming-of-Age
- Length: 2,125 words
- Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Serpent by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- 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 Serpent?
- How does this short story by Kate Douglas Wiggin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Dream Room by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- The Old Peabody Pew by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- Hearts And Other Hearts by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- Gold And Pinchbeck by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- Polly Olivers Problem by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- The Nooning Tree by Kate Douglas Wiggin
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex characters and their emotional landscapes, focusing on themes of love, societal expectations, and personal identity.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around romantic entanglements and the emotional struggles of the characters in their relationships.
- Drama — The narrative contains intense emotional conflicts and character-driven situations that unfold dramatically.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques social norms and class distinctions, particularly through the characters' interactions and perceptions.
Tags
Classic Novel · Children's Literature · Coming-of-Age Story · Family Drama · Friendship · Growing Up · Historical Fiction · Literary Fiction · Moral Lesson · Nostalgia · Orphaned Protagonist · Patriotism