The Loves of Alonzo Fitz Clarence and Rosannah E
The narrative unfolds in a wintry Eastport, Maine, where Alonzo Fitz Clarence, a young bachelor, finds himself confined indoors due to a fierce snowstorm. Seeking companionship, he engages in playful banter with his Aunt Susan, revealing his boredom and desire for a new interest. His solitude is interrupted when he hears a beautiful song, leading to the introduction of Rosannah Ethelton, a charming young woman staying with Aunt Susan. Their initial meeting sparks a romantic connection, and Alonzo becomes infatuated with Rosannah. As their relationship develops, Alonzo's feelings deepen, and he expresses a desire to marry Rosannah. However, complications arise with the arrival of Sidney Algernon Burley, a rival suitor who employs deceitful tactics to win Rosannah's affection. Burley mimics Alonzo's voice, leading to misunderstandings and heartbreak. Rosannah, believing Alonzo has been unkind, distances herself, leaving a note that suggests she has left for good. Determined to win her back, Alonzo embarks on a quest to find Rosannah, enduring hardships and ultimately being confined to a mental institution due to his obsessive search. Meanwhile, Rosannah remains unaware of Burley's manipulations and is torn between her feelings for Alonzo and the false impressions created by Burley. After a series of miscommunications and emotional turmoil, Alonzo finally discovers Rosannah's whereabouts through a telephone conversation. They reconcile, and Alonzo proposes marriage, which Rosannah joyfully accepts. They decide to marry on April 1st, a date that carries a playful significance. The story culminates in a dual wedding announcement, with both Alonzo and Rosannah marrying each other via telephone, despite the physical distance. Their union is celebrated, and Rosannah reveals her clever trick of making Burley an April fool, thus avenging the emotional turmoil he caused. The narrative concludes with a sense of happiness and resolution for the couple, while Burley's fate serves as a cautionary tale against deceit and manipulation.
By Mark Twain · First published 1865 · Genre: Romantic Comedy, Satire, Fiction · 8,554 words
First lines
It was well along in the forenoon of a bitter winter's day. The town of Eastport, in the state of Maine, lay buried under a deep snow that was newly fallen. The customary bustle in the streets was wanting. One could look long distances down them and see nothing but a dead-white emptiness, with silence to match. Of course I do not mean that you could see the silence -- no, you could only hear it. The sidewalks were merely long, deep ditches, with steep snow walls on either side. Here and there you might hear the faint, far scrape of a wooden shovel, and if you were quick enough you might catch a glimpse of a distant black figure stooping and disappearing in one of those ditches, and reappearing the next moment with a motion which you would know meant the heaving out of a shovelful of snow. But you needed to be quick, for that black figure would not linger, but would soon drop that shovel and scud for the house, thrashing itself with its arms to warm them. Yes, it was too venomously cold for snow-shovelers or anybody else to stay out long.
What this Textopian page supports
The Loves of Alonzo Fitz Clarence and Rosannah Ethelton is listed on Textopian as a novella by Mark Twain, dated 1865 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Mark Twain
- Date: 1865 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Comedy, Satire, Fiction, Adventure, Drama
- Length: 8,554 words
- Structure: 1 section, 219 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Loves of Alonzo Fitz Clarence and Rosannah Ethelton by Mark Twain
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Romantic Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romantic Comedy — The central plot revolves around the romantic entanglements and misunderstandings between Alonzo and Rosannah, infused with humor and light-hearted situations.
- Satire — The narrative critiques social norms and romantic conventions of the time, using humor to expose the absurdities of love and relationships.
- Fiction — The story is a work of fiction, presenting a narrative that explores the lives and emotions of its characters.
- Adventure — Alonzo's journey to find Rosannah and the various challenges he faces can be seen as an adventure, albeit a more emotional than physical one.
Tags
Satire · Comedy · Romance · Social Commentary · Fiction · Novella · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Humor · Irony · Absurdity · Love Story