The Girl from the Marsh Croft
The story revolves around a young girl who lives on a remote marsh croft with her father and brother. The family struggles to make ends meet due to the harsh environment and their poverty. The girl's mother had died, and her father is often absent, leaving her and her brother to fend for themselves. As the winter sets in, the girl's situation becomes increasingly dire. She must navigate the challenges of living off the land while also dealing with the emotional toll of her family's struggles. Her relationship with her brother is complex, and she feels a deep sense of responsibility towards him. The story explores themes of poverty, isolation, and the human spirit's ability to persevere in the face of adversity. The girl's experiences serve as a commentary on the social and economic conditions of rural Sweden during this time period.
By Selma Lagerlof · First published 1908 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance · 6 chapters · 23,984 words
First lines
It took place in the court room of a rural district. At the head of the Judges' table sits an old Judge -- a tall and massively built man, with a broad, rough-hewn visage. For several hours he has been engaged in deciding one case after another, and finally something like disgust and melancholy has taken hold of him. It is difficult to know if it is the heat and closeness of the court room that are torturing him or if he has become low-spirited from handling all these petty wrangles, which seem to spring from no other cause than to bear witness to people's quarrel-mania, uncharitableness, and greed.
What this Textopian page supports
The Girl from the Marsh Croft is listed on Textopian as a novel by Selma Lagerlof, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Selma Lagerlof
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Coming-of-Age, Fantasy
- Length: 23,984 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 453 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Girl from the Marsh Croft by Selma Lagerlof
- 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 The Girl from the Marsh Croft?
- How does this novel by Selma Lagerlof fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Patchwork School by Mary E. Wilkins
- The Empresss Money Chest by Selma Lagerlof
- Mamsell Fredrika by Selma Lagerlof
- The Worker In Sandal Wood by Marjorie Pickthall
- Bethlehems Children by Selma Lagerlof
- Downie by Selma Lagerlof
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative focuses on character development and explores complex themes such as love, loss, and social issues.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical context, reflecting the social and cultural dynamics of the time.
- Romance — Central to the plot are romantic relationships that drive character motivations and conflicts.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist undergoes significant personal growth and self-discovery throughout the story.
Tags
Coming-of-age · Feminism · Literary Fiction · Swedish Literature · Realism · Social Commentary · Poverty · Child Labor · Family Dynamics · Mother-Daughter Relationship · Identity Crisis · Self-Discovery