Balaam and His Master, and Other Sketches and Stories

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Harris, Joel Chandler, 1848-1908

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Balaam and His Master, and Other Sketches and Stories" by Joel Chandler Harris is a collection of short stories likely written in the late 19th century. The work explores themes of Southern life, social dynamics, and the complex relationships between masters and their slaves, often reflecting a mix of irony and profound insight into human nature. Central to the opening sketch is the character Berrien Cozart, a rebellious young man whose tumultuous journey is intertwined with that of Balaam, his devoted slave. The opening of the book introduces the townsfolk of Billville, Georgia, describing how the settlement came to be named and focusing on the Cozart family. Berrien, spoiled and beautiful but unruly, grows up in a close bond with Balaam, who serves as both caretaker and confidant. Their relationship is depicted against a backdrop of social expectations and familial pressures, illustrating the internal struggles Berrien faces as he navigates his reckless tendencies. As the narrative progresses, it hints at Berrien's eventual downfall and the critical moments that define his character, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the choices that lead to his fate. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Balaam and his master

A conscript's Christmas

Ananias

Where's Duncan?

Mom Bi

The old Bascom place.

Credits:

Produced by David Edwards 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:

Reading ease score: 79.5 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2018-03-31