Evil to him who Evil Thinks
The narrative follows Aline Proctor, a young and famous actress, who has a pattern of fleeting romantic entanglements. After a summer at Bar Harbor, she becomes infatuated with Herbert Nelson, a young man just out of Harvard. Their idyllic romance lasts only two months before Aline's attention shifts to Lord Albany, leading her to jilt Herbert. Aline's relationships are characterized by her desire for love and admiration, yet she struggles to maintain lasting connections, often moving on to new suitors before fully committing. Herbert, after being rejected, marries Sally Winthrop, but he clings to memories of Aline, keeping photographs of her that she had inscribed with sentimental messages. He confides in his friend Charles Cochran, an architect, giving him the photographs for safekeeping. Charles, who has long admired Aline from afar, becomes increasingly enamored with her through these images, leading him to display them in his home. Meanwhile, Aline becomes engaged to Chester Griswold, a wealthy and possessive man. Griswold's jealousy intensifies as he learns about Aline's past relationships, particularly with Herbert and Charles. He attempts to manipulate Aline into revealing details about her former suitors, but she resists, asserting her independence and the validity of her past experiences. The tension escalates when Griswold visits Charles's home and discovers the photographs of Aline. Convinced of Charles's romantic involvement with Aline, Griswold confronts both men, leading to a heated exchange. Aline, witnessing the confrontation, asserts her autonomy and defends Charles, ultimately rejecting Griswold's possessiveness. In the aftermath, Aline and Charles share a moment of connection, with Aline forgiving Charles for his admiration and expressing her appreciation for his character. Their relationship blossoms as they bond over their shared experiences and mutual respect. The story concludes with Aline giving Charles one of the photographs, symbolizing a new beginning for both, as they navigate the complexities of love, jealousy, and personal growth.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1898 · Genre: Romantic Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary · 7,994 words
First lines
As a rule, the instant the season closed Aline Proctor sailed on the first steamer for London, where awaited her many friends, both English and American -- and to Paris, where she selected those gowns that on and off the stage helped to make her famous. But this particular summer she had spent with the Endicotts at Bar Harbor, and it was at their house Herbert Nelson met her. After Herbert met her very few other men enjoyed that privilege. This was her wish as well as his.
What this Textopian page supports
Evil to him who Evil Thinks is listed on Textopian as a novel by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Richard Harding Davis
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary, Comedy, Literary Fiction
- Length: 7,994 words
- Structure: 1 section, 157 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Evil to him who Evil Thinks by Richard Harding Davis
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Evil to him who Evil Thinks?
- How does this novel by Richard Harding Davis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romantic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Outside The Prison by Richard Harding Davis
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Genres
- Romantic Fiction — The central plot revolves around romantic relationships, love interests, and the complexities of attraction and rejection.
- Drama — The narrative explores emotional conflicts, jealousy, and interpersonal dynamics, typical of dramatic storytelling.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms regarding love, marriage, and the roles of women and men in relationships.
- Comedy — Elements of humor and irony are present, particularly in the characters' interactions and misunderstandings.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Mystery · Thriller · Crime · Detective · Novel · Classic · American Literature · 19th Century · Social Commentary · Morality Tale