The Wife of his Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line, and Selected Essays: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Wife of his Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line, and Selected Essays: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Wife of his Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line, and Selected Essays is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Chesnutt, Charles W. (Charles Waddell) (1858–1932).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Wife of His Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line, and Selected Essays" by Charles W. Chesnutt is a collection of short stories and essays written during the late 19th century, highlighting the complex issues of race, identity, and social class in post-Civil War America. The narratives often feature characters from the African-American community navigating the challenges posed by societal color lines, including the prejudices prevalent among their own ranks. Through these stories, Chesnutt explores themes of belonging, love, and the struggle for dignity and acceptance. The opening of the book introduces Mr. Ryder, a prominent member of the Blue Vein Society, a group of light-skinned African-Americans who aspire to elevate their social standing while grappling with the implications of their racial identity. As he prepares to host a ball in honor of Mrs. Molly Dixon—whom he admires—an unexpected encounter with an elderly black woman named 'Liza Jane brings to the surface deeper questions of loyalty and belonging. Her story of searching for her long-lost husband, who escaped slavery, contrasts sharply with Mr. Ryder's aspirations and invites reflections on past relationships and societal expectations. This initial segment sets the tone for Chesnutt's poignant exploration of race and the personal conflicts that arise from it.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Wife of his Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line, and Selected Essays
- Author credits: Chesnutt, Charles W. (Charles Waddell) (1858–1932)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- African Americans -- Fiction
- American essays
- Race awareness -- Fiction
- Race relations -- Fiction
- Racially mixed people -- Fiction
- Racism -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- African American Writers
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches
- Category: Short Stories
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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