Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp" by Harriet Beecher Stowe is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The book explores themes of slavery, morality, and human relationships against the backdrop of the American South, particularly focusing on the lives of enslaved individuals and the complex dynamics between different social classes. The main character introduced in the opening chapters is Nina Gordon, a lively and spirited young heiress navigating the demands of her social circle while also hinting at the deeper moral conflicts surrounding slavery and freedom. The opening of the novel reveals Nina in her home as she interacts with her companion Harry, showcasing her playful yet somewhat self-absorbed personality. As she sifts through her belongings and discusses her various suitors, including the enigmatic Edward Clayton, the text hints at her trivial pursuits and the societal expectations placed on women of her status. Meanwhile, the contrasts between her carefree demeanor and the serious issues of slavery simmer underneath the surface, especially in the dialogues about morality and the responsibilities of the privileged. This duality sets the stage for a broader exploration of the consequences of slavery and the characters' evolving relationships as the story unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Notes:

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dred:_A_Tale_of_the_Great_Dismal_Swamp

Reading ease score: 78.6 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2017-06-30