The Fruit of the Tree (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Edith Wharton
- First Published: 1907
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social realism
- Time of Work: Late nineteenth century
- Setting: United States
- Principal Characters: John Amherst, Bessy Westmore, Justine Brent, Mr. Langhope, Dr. Wyant
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
- Subjects: United States or Americans, Nineteenth century, Class consciousness, Substance abuse, Working class, Drug addiction or addicts, Reformers, Euthanasia or right to die, Mills or millwork, Factory management
- Locales: New England
The Story:
When Justine Brent, a nurse who was visiting Mrs. Harry Dressel at Hanaford, volunteered to care for Dillon, an operator who had been injured at Westmore Mills, she was approached by John Amherst, the assistant manager of the mills. Amherst deplored the miserable living and working conditions of the mill workers and, since Dillon’s accident had been the result of these conditions, he wanted to use his case to show the need for improvement to Bessy Westmore, the newly widowed owner of the mills who was due to make an inspection tour the following day.
The...
[The entire page is 2379 words long]
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