Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
All characters reduced
Castle Rackrent - Enriched edition - cover

Castle Rackrent - Enriched edition

Maria Edgeworth

Publisher: DigiCat

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

Maria Edgeworth's "Castle Rackrent" stands as a seminal work in the burgeoning genre of the novel, exemplifying the blend of realism and satire in early 19th-century literature. Composed in 1800, the narrative unfolds through the voice of Thady Quirk, the steadfast servant to the Rackrent family, offering readers a vivid portrayal of the decline of the Irish aristocracy. Edgeworth's meticulous attention to dialect and her use of a first-person perspective enhance the immediacy and authenticity of the text, while her sharp commentary on land ownership and social change in Ireland resonates with contemporaneous political and cultural discussions. Born in 1767 in England to a wealthy Anglo-Irish family, Maria Edgeworth lived a life that deeply informed her writing, particularly her exploration of class and cultural identity. Her educational background and experiences in Ireland greatly influenced her literary pursuits, allowing her to dissect the complexities of Irish society with both intimacy and critical insight. As an advocate for educational reform and women's rights, Edgeworth imbued her work with a substantive blend of advocacy and narrative, making her an early figure in feminist literature as well. "Castle Rackrent" is not merely a story; it is a pivotal text that invites readers to explore the intricacies of history and human experience through its deftly crafted characters and social commentary. Scholars and casual readers alike will treasure this work for its rich complexities and timeless themes, making it an essential addition to any literary collection.

In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Available since: 09/15/2022.
Print length: 109 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • The Goldie Standard - cover

    The Goldie Standard

    Simi Monheit

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Hilarious and surprising, this unapologetically Jewish story delivers a present-day take on a highly creative grandmother trying to find her PhD granddaughter a husband who is a doctor—with a yarmulke, of course. 
     
     
     
    Goldie Mandell is opinionated, assertive, and stuck in an assisted living facility. But even surrounded by schleppers with walkers, pictures of sunrises, fancy fish tanks, and an array of daily activities to complement the tepid tea and stale cookies on offer, her salt-free plate is full. She's got a granddaughter to settle, an eager love interest named Harry to subdue, and precious memories of her happy marriage to fellow Holocaust survivor Mordy to draw upon. 
     
     
     
    Maxie Jacobson is young, brilliant, and newly single, not by choice. But she's got her science career, a grandmother to care for, and her whole life ahead of her. When Maxie takes on the role of her grandmother's medical advocate, she has no idea Goldie operates with the single purpose of securing Maxie with Dr. Right. Instead, Maxie is distracted by her grandmother's unexpectedly charming long-haired, sandal-wearing, peculiarly-named driver, T-Jam Bin Naumann, definitely wrong in every way.
    Show book
  • The Blind Accordionist - cover

    The Blind Accordionist

    C.D. Rose

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    In the novel Who's Who When Everyone Is Someone Else, the character "C. D. Rose" (not to be confused with the author C. D. Rose) searches an unnamed middle-European city for the long-lost manuscript of a little-known writer named Maxim Guyavitch. That search was fruitless, but in The Blind Accordionist, "C. D. Rose" has found the manuscript—nine sparkling, fable-like short stories—and he presents them here with an (hilarious) introduction explaining the discovery, and an afterword providing (hilarious) critical commentary on the stories, and what they might reveal about the mysterious Guyavitch. 
     
     
     
    The Blind Accordionist is another masterful book of world-making by the real C. D. Rose, absorbing in its mix of intelligence and light-heartedness, and its ultimate celebration of literature itself. It is the third novel in the series about "C. D. Rose," although the reader does not need to have read the previous two books. (The first in the series was The Biographical Dictionary of Literary Failure; the second was Who's Who When Everyone Is Someone Else.) 
     
     
     
    Like those books, The Blind Accordionist can be read both as a simple but wonderful collection of quirky stories, and as comedy—or as a beautiful and moving elegy on the nobility of writers wanting to be read.
    Show book
  • Trivia for Seniors - 1015 Fun and Challenging Questions to Keep Your Mind Sharp - cover

    Trivia for Seniors - 1015 Fun...

    Peter Blake

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Trivia for Seniors: 1015 Fun and Challenging Questions to Keep Your Mind Sharp is the ultimate collection of brain-boosting quizzes designed to entertain, engage, and invigorate your mind. Packed with 1015 thought-provoking questions, this book is perfect for seniors looking to sharpen their memory, expand their knowledge, and have fun along the way. 
    Whether you’re a trivia enthusiast, a lifelong learner, or simply looking for a great way to pass the time, this book offers a variety of questions that will keep you on your toes. With a mix of easy, medium, and challenging questions, there’s something for everyone—from history buffs to science geeks, and pop culture aficionados to geography lovers. 
    Not only does Trivia for Seniors provide hours of entertainment, but it also promotes cognitive health by encouraging mental stimulation. Studies show that keeping your mind active can help improve memory, reduce stress, and even protect against cognitive decline. This book offers a fun, accessible way to boost your brainpower while having a good time. 
    Each section of the book is designed to offer an enjoyable challenge, with topics ranging from history and literature to science and sports. And with 1015 questions, you’ll never run out of fresh material to quiz yourself or challenge friends and family. Play solo, compete with loved ones, or use this book for your next trivia night—it’s the perfect companion for mental fitness.
    Show book
  • Lifting Off - A Life in Freefall - cover

    Lifting Off - A Life in Freefall

    Karen McLeod

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    An absorbing and often hilarious account of the author's 12 years as closeted cabin crew for British Airways.  It's a story of love, creativity and acceptance, the transformative power of lesbian love and more.  Told with the wit and verve that characterised her debut novel, Karen's memoir of flying as cabin crew offers a fascinating insight into the profound impact of long-haul life.  Having come out as a lesbian she is forced to go back in as colleagues advise her that it is not ok to be gay, unlike male cabin crew. Brimming with vertiginous loops and extreme globe-trotting, against a backdrop of exotic locations, hotel bars and nightclubs, Karen slowly unravels as the inability to truly be herself reverberates. This is the story of how Karen finally came into land. How she learned to look after herself and discovered her true strength. "Atmospheric and idiosyncratic, this is a memoir that entertains and emboldens" Observer
    Show book
  • A Man Called Stan - cover

    A Man Called Stan

    Jay

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    A Man Called Stan is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that delves deep into the complexities of human nature, relationships, and the search for identity. The story revolves around the titular character, Stan, a seemingly ordinary man whose life takes a series of unexpected turns, forcing him to confront his past, his choices, and the person he has become. 
    The author crafts Stan as a relatable yet enigmatic protagonist. His journey is both intimate and universal, as he grapples with themes of regret, redemption, and the passage of time. The narrative is rich with emotional depth, and the reader is drawn into Stan's world, feeling every triumph and heartbreak alongside him. 
    A Man Called Stan is not just a character study, it's a meditation on life's unpredictability and the resilience of the human spirit. It asks profound questions about fate, forgiveness and the choices that define us, leaving readers reflecting on their own lives ,long after they've turned the last page.
    Show book
  • Big Words Small Ideas - From Plato to Postmodernism - 3000 years of Not Saying What You Mean - cover

    Big Words Small Ideas - From...

    Anonymous

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    If you’ve ever read a philosophy paper and wondered, “Did they really need that many syllables to say absolutely nothing?”—this book is for you. 
    Sophia Anne Blackwell, the wildly irreverent creator of the Cogito Ergo Nope! series, returns with her most hilariously scathing book yet: a no-holds-barred takedown of philosophy’s greatest (and most obscurantist) offenders. From the ancient Greeks who invented making things harder than they need to be, to French theorists who turned not making sense into a career, Big Words, Small Ideas traces the glorious tradition of intellectual smoke and mirrors with biting wit and actual clarity. 
    In this book, you’ll meet: 
    Plato, who decided the real world was just a sad knockoff of Ideas That Don’t Exist 
    Aristotle, who invented philosophical filing cabinets with seventeen drawers too many 
    Plotinus, who tried to write about the indescribable in several hundred pages 
    Kant, who made thinking about thinking so hard you’d wish you never started 
    Hegel, the man who weaponized run-on sentences 
    Heidegger, who wrote an entire book about Being without explaining what Being means 
    And a whole cast of modern academics who think obscurity = genius 
    With ruthless humor, surprising accuracy, and zero patience for jargon masquerading as depth, Blackwell takes you on a tour through the theater of philosophical absurdity—and dares to ask the forbidden question: What the hell are they actually talking about? 
    Whether you’re a recovering philosophy major, a curious outsider, or just someone who’s tired of pretending to understand Lacan, this book is your guide to 3,000 years of intellectual gaslighting—with jokes.
    Show book