Fidelity (Annotated) - Enriched Edition A Novel

Susan Glaspell

Summary

Susan Glaspell's Fidelity is a penetrating social novel about love, reputation, and the moral discipline imposed by small-town America. Centered on Ruth Holland, whose transgressive attachment to a married man estranges her from her community, the book examines how "fidelity" may signify loyalty not only to social law, but to desire, conscience, and selfhood. Written in supple realist prose, it belongs to the tradition of American regional fiction while anticipating modernist concerns with female subjectivity and ethical ambiguity. Glaspell, born in Iowa in 1876, drew deeply on the Midwestern world she knew as a journalist, novelist, playwright, and co-founder of the Provincetown Players. Her early reporting on courts and domestic tragedies sharpened her awareness of how public judgment bears differently upon women. The same feminist intelligence that later shaped Trifles and her Pulitzer Prize-winning Alison's House informs Fidelity's critique of respectability and communal surveillance. This novel is recommended for readers interested in American literary realism, women's writing, and the social history of gender. It rewards those who value psychologically nuanced fiction that refuses easy moral verdicts, offering instead a subtle exploration of freedom, sacrifice, and the cost of living truthfully.

This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to 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.
- 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: 11/24/2023.

Print length: 286 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Carmilla

Sheridan Le Fanu

Carmilla (1872) is a Gothic novel that begins when Laura, a young woman living with her father in an isolated castle in Styria, receives an unexpected visit from Carmilla, a mysterious young woman who, following an accident during her journey, stays as a guest at the family home.

As the two young women grow closer, Laura finds herself increasingly fascinated by her new companion. However, Carmilla's strange behaviour, her prolonged absences at night and the unsettling secrets surrounding her past arouse a growing unease. At the same time, a series of strange illnesses and deaths begin to spread throughout the region, fuelling rumours and fears amongst the local inhabitants.

As she tries to make sense of the events unfolding around her, Laura finds herself caught up in an atmosphere of mystery, attraction and danger where nothing is quite what it seems and where an ancient threat appears to have returned to disrupt the peace of the place.

Show book

A Room of One's Own

Virginia Woolf

One of the most influential works of modern literature, exploring creativity, independence, and the power of women's voices.

Discover "A Room of One's Own" by Virginia Woolf, the groundbreaking literary essay that has inspired generations of readers, writers, and thinkers. Blending elegant prose with profound insight, this timeless classic examines the relationship between creativity, education, financial independence, and artistic expression, making it one of the defining works of twentieth-century literature.

Based on a series of lectures delivered at women's colleges, A Room of One's Own explores the historical barriers that limited women's opportunities in literature and the arts. Through thoughtful reflection, vivid imagination, and memorable examples, Virginia Woolf considers the conditions necessary for creative achievement while examining themes of education, equality, intellectual freedom, identity, and the enduring importance of independent thought. Her ideas continue to spark meaningful conversations about literature, culture, and society around the world.

First published in 1929, "A Room of One's Own" is regarded as a landmark of literary criticism and feminist thought. Its influence extends across literature, history, education, gender studies, and cultural criticism, ensuring its place among the most important nonfiction classics of the modern era.

Perfect for readers interested in classic literature, literary criticism, women's history, feminist philosophy, cultural studies, education, and timeless nonfiction, this remarkable work offers an engaging and thought-provoking reading experience.

Experience one of the most important literary essays ever written. Add "A Room of One's Own" to your Kindle library today and discover a timeless classic that continues to inspire creativity, independence, and intellectual freedom.

Show book

White Nights - A Dreamlike Tale...

Fyodor Dostoevsky, Zenith...

What if the most beautiful moment of your life lasted only four nights?

White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a poetic and tender story of an unnamed dreamer in St. Petersburg who meets a lonely young woman, Nastenka, over the course of four magical evenings. As their confessions unfold beneath the twilight skies, Dostoevsky crafts a delicate exploration of hope, heartbreak, and the fragile bonds of human connection.

A moving tale of longing and imagination, this early work showcases Dostoevsky's emotional depth and literary grace—long before his darker philosophical novels.

💬 "A soft, sorrowful symphony for solitary souls—a timeless reflection on love and what could have been."

🌌 Why Readers Are Drawn to It:
Perfect for fans of The Little Prince, Notes from Underground, and The Yellow Wallpaper

A brilliant introduction to Dostoevsky's romantic and humanist side

Widely studied in courses on Russian literature, romanticism, and modernist fiction

📣 Four Nights. One Connection. A Lifetime Remembered.
Buy White Nights today and immerse yourself in a story where emotion glows as gently as the midnight sun.

Show book