A Late Supper by Sarah Orne Jewett
The narrative unfolds in a small, unremarkable town where Miss Catherine Spring, a solitary woman, grapples with financial difficulties after losing part of her income. As she contemplates her future, she considers moving in with her niece in Lowell, feeling the weight of her loneliness and the impending closure of her home. One afternoon, a young girl named Katy Dunning visits, seeking summer work. Despite her initial reluctance, Miss Catherine is moved by Katy's situation and offers her food instead. This encounter highlights Miss Catherine's kindness and her own struggles with isolation. Later, unexpected visitors, her nephew and his wife, arrive, prompting Miss Catherine to prepare an early supper. However, in her haste to fetch cream from a neighbor, she inadvertently boards a train, leading to a comedic yet distressing adventure. On the train, she meets kind strangers who offer her comfort and assistance, revealing her innate ability to connect with others despite her initial embarrassment. As the story progresses, Miss Catherine's misadventure leads to a serendipitous opportunity when she receives a letter from Alice West, a potential boarder, expressing interest in staying at her home. This unexpected turn of events brings hope and joy to Miss Catherine, who had been feeling despondent about her financial situation. The arrival of Alice and her aunt transforms Miss Catherine's life, as they become not only boarders but also cherished companions. Katy Dunning is also welcomed into the household, creating a nurturing environment that alleviates Miss Catherine's loneliness. The story concludes with a reflection on the interconnectedness of life's events, suggesting that what initially appears to be misfortune can lead to unexpected blessings. Miss Catherine learns to trust in the unfolding of her life, recognizing that her struggles have ultimately brought her closer to meaningful relationships and a renewed sense of purpose. The narrative emphasizes themes of kindness, community, and the serendipitous nature of life, illustrating how connections can emerge from adversity.
By Sarah Orne Jewett · First published 1896 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Realism · 10,533 words
First lines
The story begins one afternoon in June just after dinner. Miss Catherine Spring was the heroine; and she lived alone in her house, which stood on the long village street in Brookton, -- up in the country city people would say, -- a town certainly not famous, but pleasant enough because it was on the outer edge of the mountain region, near some great hills. One never hears much about Brookton when one is away from it, but, for all that, life is as important and exciting there as it is anywhere; and it is like every other town, a miniature world, with its great people and small people, bad people and good people, its jealousy and rivalry, kindness and patient heroism.
What this Textopian page supports
A Late Supper is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sarah Orne Jewett, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Sarah Orne Jewett
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Realism, Coming-of-Age, Social Commentary
- Length: 10,533 words
- Structure: 1 section, 93 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Late Supper by Sarah Orne Jewett
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Late Supper?
- How does this short story by Sarah Orne Jewett fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The story focuses on character development, emotional depth, and the exploration of themes such as loneliness, community, and the passage of time.
- Domestic Fiction — The narrative centers around the domestic life of Miss Catherine Spring, her home, and her interactions with family and neighbors.
- Realism — The story presents a realistic portrayal of life in a small town, emphasizing everyday experiences and social dynamics.
- Coming-of-Age — Miss Catherine's journey reflects personal growth and the acceptance of change in her life circumstances.
Tags
dinner · family · relationships · New England · rural life · community · tradition · nostalgia · storytelling · women's roles · social dynamics · cooking