Rena's Experiment by Mary Jane Holmes
In "Rena's Experiment" by Mary Jane Holmes, the story unfolds in a rural setting where superstitions and old customs linger. The narrative begins with Charlotte Ann Parks, a young girl, attempting a traditional charm at a well, believed to reveal one's future spouse. This well, associated with a tragic love story from the past, becomes a focal point for the characters' interactions. The plot thickens with the arrival of summer boarders at Mrs. Parks' home, including a city stenographer seeking rest and two cousins, Irene and Rena Burdick. The cousins' visit is intertwined with a peculiar will left by Sandy McPherson, which stipulates that his fortune will go to Reginald Travers and Irene Burdick if they marry each other for love. This condition sets the stage for a series of misunderstandings and romantic entanglements. Reginald Travers, a reserved and wealthy young man, is initially unaware of the will's conditions. As he becomes acquainted with the Burdick cousins, he is drawn to Irene's beauty and charm, though he is also intrigued by Rena's sincerity and warmth. Meanwhile, Rena, who is actually the intended heiress in the will, struggles with her feelings for Tom Giles, a family friend who is in love with her. The story explores themes of love, deception, and societal expectations. Irene, ambitious and determined, sees the will as an opportunity to secure her future, while Rena values genuine affection over financial gain. The narrative builds tension as the characters navigate their emotions and the constraints imposed by the will. Ultimately, "Rena's Experiment" delves into the complexities of human relationships and the choices individuals make when faced with love and duty. The well, a symbol of fate and destiny, serves as a backdrop for the characters' journeys toward self-discovery and true happiness.
By Mary Jane Holmes · First published 1892 · Genre: Romance, Domestic Fiction, Historical Fiction · 23 chapters · 82,414 words
First lines
A tall, angular woman, wearing a sun-bonnet and a big work apron which nearly covered her short dress, stood on the fence calling, "Charlotte Ann! Charlotte Ann! Charlotte Ann Parks! Where be you? Don't you know it's 'most noon, and the table not set? and Miss Bennett's very partic'lar about her digester; and there's a letter from the two summer boarders who are coming!"
What this Textopian page supports
Rena's Experiment is listed on Textopian as a novel by Mary Jane Holmes, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Mary Jane Holmes
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Domestic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Sentimental Fiction
- Length: 82,414 words
- Structure: 23 chapters, 1,235 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Rena's Experiment by Mary Jane Holmes
- 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
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Genres
- Romance — The narrative centers on personal relationships and emotional growth typical of Mary Jane Holmes' work.
- Domestic Fiction — The story emphasizes family dynamics and home life, reflecting domestic concerns of the period.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and social context are integral, mirroring the historical norms and values of its time.
- Sentimental Fiction — The text exhibits an emphasis on emotional introspection and moral dilemmas characteristic of the era.
Tags
romance · historical · women's life · coming-of-age · societal expectations · relationships · feminism · self-discovery · emotional journey · introspection · moral choices · family
Contents
- Nannie's Well
- The Farm-House
- Rena's Letter to Tom Giles (with Remarks by Tom, as he Read it)
- Reginald and Tom
- The Burdicks
- The First Evening
- The Call
- Confidences and Communings
- Colin Mcpherson's Call
- The Dinner-Party
- Drifting
- Tom and Rena at the Well
- Rex and Irene
- Rex and Colin
- "Man Proposes, but God Disposes"
- The Letter
- Rex and Sam
- The Trained Nurse
- Rex and Rena
- In the Sick-Room
- Rex's Experiment
- Irene
- Conclusion