First chapter of A Singular Life as it appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, January 1895
Analysisedit
The book was published in a period when Americans were exploring how the teachings of Jesus Christ could be applied to daily life. Several books considering the question were published in 1890s. A Singular Life, in this vein, features a protagonist named Emanuel Bayard who pursues Jesus-inspired humanitarianism by forsaking ties to his orthodox church.[4] Among Bayard's projects is positively influencing a prostitute named Magdalena (or "Lena") to become more respectable and use her talent for singing for a better purpose. When he suggests she pursue a new career, specifically household service, she balks and refuses the stereotypical domestic role and instead works for a gunpowder factory.[5]
Ward's books, including A Singular Life and her previous books like The Story of Avis, depicted attempts at social utopias as she demonstrated a focus on women's needs and a hope that men and women could live together equitably.[6]
One of Ward's favorite novels among her many, the story follows a young minister who promotes temperance in a small fishing town.[7] The town of Gloucester, Massachusetts was believed to be the model for the setting, and prompted a local attorney to pen a pamphlet titled Gloucester Vindicated.[8]
Referencesedit
^Hackett, Alice Payne. Seventy Years of Best Sellers 1895-1965, p. 92 (1967) (the lists for 1895-1912 in this volume are derived from the lists published in The Bookman (New York))
^(6 November 1895). A Good Theological Novel (book review), The New York Times (positive review)
^The Atlantic Monthly. Volume 75, Issue 447, January 1895 (first installment; note that the work itself is copyrighted 1894, although it did not begin appearing in print until the January 1895 issue)
^Hart, James D. The Popular Book: A History of America's Literary Taste. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1950: 165. ISBN0-520-00538-4
^Hobbs, June Hadden. I Sing for I Cannot Be Silent: The Feminization of American Hymnody, 1870–1920. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1997: 66–67. ISBN0-8229-3990-8
^Kesller, Carol Farley. Daring to Dream: Utopian Fiction by United States Women Before 1950 (Second Edition). Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 1995: 62. ISBN0-8156-2654-1
^James, Edward T. (et al.) Notable American Women, 1607–1950: A Biographical Dictionary, Volume 2, p. 540 (1971)
^(4 August 1901). Gloucester - Where the Fish Come From - And Its People, The New York Times
External linksedit
A Singular Life full scan (1898 print) via Google Books
March 22, 2024
singular, life, novel, published, 1895, elizabeth, stuart, phelps, ward, first, published, serial, form, atlantic, monthly, from, january, through, october, 1895, published, novel, form, late, 1895, fourth, highest, best, selling, book, united, states, 1896, f. A Singular Life is a novel published in 1895 by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward It was first published in serial form in The Atlantic Monthly from January through October 1895 and published in novel form in late 1895 It was the fourth highest best selling book in the United States in 1896 1 2 3 First chapter of A Singular Life as it appeared in The Atlantic Monthly January 1895Analysis editThe book was published in a period when Americans were exploring how the teachings of Jesus Christ could be applied to daily life Several books considering the question were published in 1890s A Singular Life in this vein features a protagonist named Emanuel Bayard who pursues Jesus inspired humanitarianism by forsaking ties to his orthodox church 4 Among Bayard s projects is positively influencing a prostitute named Magdalena or Lena to become more respectable and use her talent for singing for a better purpose When he suggests she pursue a new career specifically household service she balks and refuses the stereotypical domestic role and instead works for a gunpowder factory 5 Ward s books including A Singular Life and her previous books like The Story of Avis depicted attempts at social utopias as she demonstrated a focus on women s needs and a hope that men and women could live together equitably 6 One of Ward s favorite novels among her many the story follows a young minister who promotes temperance in a small fishing town 7 The town of Gloucester Massachusetts was believed to be the model for the setting and prompted a local attorney to pen a pamphlet titled Gloucester Vindicated 8 References edit Hackett Alice Payne Seventy Years of Best Sellers 1895 1965 p 92 1967 the lists for 1895 1912 in this volume are derived from the lists published in The Bookman New York 6 November 1895 A Good Theological Novel book review The New York Times positive review The Atlantic Monthly Volume 75 Issue 447 January 1895 first installment note that the work itself is copyrighted 1894 although it did not begin appearing in print until the January 1895 issue Hart James D The Popular Book A History of America s Literary Taste Berkeley CA University of California Press 1950 165 ISBN 0 520 00538 4 Hobbs June Hadden I Sing for I Cannot Be Silent The Feminization of American Hymnody 1870 1920 Pittsburgh PA University of Pittsburgh Press 1997 66 67 ISBN 0 8229 3990 8 Kesller Carol Farley Daring to Dream Utopian Fiction by United States Women Before 1950 Second Edition Syracuse NY Syracuse University Press 1995 62 ISBN 0 8156 2654 1 James Edward T et al Notable American Women 1607 1950 A Biographical Dictionary Volume 2 p 540 1971 4 August 1901 Gloucester Where the Fish Come From And Its People The New York TimesExternal links editA Singular Life full scan 1898 print via Google Books Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title A Singular Life amp oldid 1144992702, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
