Comfortable Mrs. Crook by Ruth Lamb
"Comfortable Mrs. Crook" by Ruth Lamb is a story about Mrs. Jemima Crook, a widow who prides herself on being left "comfortable" by her late husband. She is self-centered, indifferent to others' needs, and avoids sharing her resources or engaging with her community. Her life is solitary, and she is content with her material wealth, but she lacks emotional connections and spiritual fulfillment. The narrative explores her interactions with her servant, Fanny, and a young woman named Miss Lawton, who is terminally ill. Miss Lawton's faith and peace in the face of death profoundly impact Mrs. Crook, prompting her to reflect on her own life and beliefs. Through these relationships, Mrs. Crook undergoes a transformation, moving from a life of isolation and self-interest to one of community involvement and spiritual awakening. The story highlights themes of redemption, the power of faith, and the importance of compassion and generosity.
By Ruth Lamb · First published 1888 · Genre: Christian Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Moral Fiction · 6 chapters · 13,333 words
First lines
IF Mrs. Jemima Crook happened to be in a very good temper, when taking a cup of tea with some old acquaintance, she would sometimes allude to her private affairs in these words: "I don't deny it; Crook has left me comfortable. " This was not much to tell, for Mrs. Crook was not given to confidences, and a frequent remark of hers was: "I know my own business, and that is enough for me. I don't see that I have any call to fill other people's minds and mouths with what does not concern them."
Seeing, however, that Mrs. Crook's own mind and heart were entirely filled by Mrs. Crook herself, it was perhaps as well that she should not occupy too much of the attention and affection of her neighbours.
What this Textopian page supports
Comfortable Mrs. Crook is listed on Textopian as a novella by Ruth Lamb, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Ruth Lamb
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Christian Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Moral Fiction, Social Criticism, Inspirational Fiction
- Length: 13,333 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 231 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Comfortable Mrs. Crook by Ruth Lamb
- 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
- Christian Fiction — The narrative centers on religious themes, spiritual transformation, and redemption through Christian teaching.
- Domestic Fiction — The story focuses on everyday domestic life, relationships within the household, and the routines of its central characters.
- Moral Fiction — It emphasizes moral lessons and the contrast between selfishness and benevolence, highlighting personal accountability.
- Social Criticism — The work critiques societal attitudes, class distinctions, and the impact of self-interest on interpersonal relationships.
Tags
women's fiction · domestic drama · social satire · humor · character study · eccentricity · middle-class lifestyle · British setting · mid-century literature · independence · class critique · irony
Contents
- Keeping to herself
- The Silent Messenger
- Ready and Unready
- Not with Eye-Service
- The Invitation Accepted
- Waiting and Trusting