The Story of a Country Town (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: E. W. Howe
- First Published: 1883
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social criticism
- Time of Work: Mid-nineteenth century
- Setting: The Middle West
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
- Subjects: Family or family life, Suicide, Murder or homicide, Nineteenth century, Marriage, Rural or country life, Midwest, Jealousy, envy, or resentment, Ministry or ministers, Farms, farmers, or farming, Adultery, Preaching, Newspapers, Mills or millwork
Characters Discussed
Abram Nedrow (Ned) Westlock, a Middle Border boy (and man), the narrator of the story. He is a farm helper for his father and later an apprentice in journalism. He becomes a successful editor of the paper his father leaves him. For years in love with Agnes, he marries her after his mother’s death. A close observer of people, he is also a moralist on such matters as temperance and personal industry. As a critic of small-town temperament and mores, he anticipates Sinclair Lewis’ Carol Kennicott.
The Reverend John Westlock, his father, a Methodist...
[The entire page is 581 words long]
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