Project Gutenberg
2002-01-01
Public domain in the USA.
365
Hardy, Thomas
1840
1928
Life's Little Ironies
A set of tales with some colloquial sketches entitled A Few Crusted Characters
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life%27s_Little_Ironies
The son's veto -- For conscience' sake -- A tragedy of two ambitions -- On the western circuit -- To please his wife -- The melancholy hussar of the German legion -- The fiddler of the reels -- A tradition of 1804 -- A few crusted characters.
David Price
"Life's Little Ironies" by Thomas Hardy is a collection of short stories written during the late 19th century. The narratives explore the complexities of human experiences, particularly focusing on themes of love, social class, and the unforeseen consequences of choices. In these tales, Hardy shines a light on the characters’ struggles against societal constraints and personal desires, often leading to poignant ironies in their lives. At the start of the collection, the story "The Son’s Veto" introduces us to a young woman named Sophy, who is portrayed as a charming yet physically impaired individual, living with her school-aged son in a suburban area of London. As she reminisces about her past, we learn of her humble beginnings, the death of her previous husband, and the societal expectations that now weigh upon her. Sophy’s son, Randolph, displays a sense of superiority and British elitism that complicates their relationship, particularly as Sophy grapples with her past decisions. The narrative sets the stage for themes of social status, motherhood, and the complex nature of love, hinting that such issues will come to bear heavily on Sophy’s life as the story unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 76.8 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
en
Wessex (England) -- Fiction
Short stories, English
PR
Text
Category: Short Stories
Category: British Literature
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