Run to Seed by Thomas Nelson Page

Name: Run to Seed
Author: Thomas Nelson Page

The novel follows the story of a young man, John Randolph, who is born into a wealthy Virginia family. He is raised in a privileged environment, but his life is changed when his father dies and he is forced to take over the family estate. He is determined to make a success of the estate, but he soon finds himself in a difficult situation. He is in love with a woman from a lower social class, and his family disapproves of the match. He is also struggling to keep the estate afloat, as the Civil War has caused a decline in the family's fortunes. John must make a difficult decision: will he stay and try to make the estate successful, or will he run away and start a new life with the woman he loves? The novel follows John as he navigates the complexities of his situation, and ultimately makes a decision that will shape his future.

By Thomas Nelson Page · First published 1891 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Realism, Romance · 2 chapters · 7,852 words

First lines

Jim's father died at Gettysburg; up against the Stone Fence; went to heaven in a chariot of fire on that fateful day when the issue between the two parts of the country was decided: when the slaughter on the Confe'd-erate side was such that after the battle a lieutenant was in charge of a regiment, and a major commanded a brigade.

This fact was much to Jim, though no one knew it: it tempered his mind: ruled his life. He never remembered the time when he did not know the story his mother, in her worn black dress and with her pale face, used to tell him of the bullet-dented sword and faded red sash which hung on the chamber wall.

What this Textopian page supports

Run to Seed is listed on Textopian as a novel by Thomas Nelson Page, dated 1891 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Thomas Nelson Page
Date: 1891 CE
Language: English
Genres: Southern Gothic, Realism, Romance, Historical Fiction
Length: 7,852 words
Structure: 2 chapters, 118 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Run to Seed?
How does this novel by Thomas Nelson Page fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Southern Gothic first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Southern Gothic — Run to Seed is set in the American South and features themes of decay, death, and the supernatural, which are all common elements of Southern Gothic literature.
Realism — Run to Seed is a realistic novel that focuses on the everyday lives of its characters and the struggles they face.
Romance — Run to Seed features a romantic subplot between two of its characters, which is a common element of the romance genre.
Historical Fiction — Run to Seed is set in the late 19th century and features characters and events from that time period, making it a work of historical fiction.