Dec 31, 2009

The Fruit of the Tree | The Fruit of the Tree

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: The United States
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

Characters Discussed

John Amherst, an assistant mill manager. Concerned with the low standard of working conditions at the mill, he endeavors to convince Bessy Westmore, the owner, of the necessity for improvement. Impressed by her apparent interest in the project, he marries her, only to be disillusioned by her unwillingness to make any sacrifice in the cause. On her death, he marries Justine Brent.

Bessy Westmore, a mill owner and John Amherst’s first wife. Selfish and self-indulgent, she disillusions her husband by her lack of interest in the working conditions at...

[The entire page is 502 words long]

The Fruit of the Tree | The Fruit of the Tree

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

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