John Halifax, GentlemanThis 1856 novel, one of the most beloved of the Victorian period, follows the life, from childhood to death, of an orphaned boy who grows to become a wealthy and powerful leader in his community. The young John Halifax is taken in by Abel Fletcher, a Quaker tanner, and forms a close friendship with Fletcher’s son, Phineas. Through hard work and integrity, John overcomes obstacles to find domestic happiness and material success. His achievements symbolize those of England in the early nineteenth century, and this novel captures the ambition and ebullient optimism of the growing Victorian middle class. This Broadview edition includes a critical introduction and full annotation; the idea of the “gentleman” in Victorian culture, labour unrest in the early nineteenth century, and women’s roles in Victorian England are explored in the broad selection of contextual documents. |
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... thought on the boy, whom from a sense of commonjustice he had made take shel— ter beside us. In truth, worthy man, he had no lack of matter to occupy his mind, being sole architect of a long uphill but now thriv— ing trade. I saw, by ...
... .” “Would you like to learn one?” He hesitated a minute, as ifweighing his speech. “Once, I thought I should like to be what my father was.” “What was he?” “A scholar and a gentleman.” This was. JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN.
... thought of the money. When I acknowledged this, my father laughed, called John an honest lad, and began searching in his pocket for some larger coin. I ventured to draw his ear down, and whisper something—but I got no answer; meanwhile ...
... thought a minute, and then said, in a low tone, “I can't write, and I don't know when I shall be able to learn; I wish you would put down something in a book for me.” “That I will.” He took out of his pocket a 40 DINAH MULOCK CRAIK.
... thought it; more so than ever now, when I had some one to say too how “very pretty” it was. Let me describe it— this first landscape, the sole picture of my boyish days, and vivid as all such pictures are. At the end ofthe arbor the ...
Contents
8 | |
9 | |
25 | |
28 | |
29 | |
The Idea of the Gentleman in Victorian Culture | 499 |
Working Conditions and Labor Unrest in the Early Nineteenth Century | 509 |
Womens Roles in Victorian England | 525 |
Reviews | 537 |
Religious Issues | 553 |
Fictional Conterpoints | 566 |
Table of Dates of Relevant Events and Legislation | 579 |
Select Bibliography | 580 |