Girl of the Limberlost
Encyclopedia
A Girl of the Limberlost, a novel written by the American
writer and naturalist
Gene Stratton-Porter
, was first published in August 1909. The story takes place in Indiana
, in and around the Limberlost Swamp
, during the early 20th century.
The novel's heroine Elnora Comstock is a poor girl who lives with her widowed mother Katharine Comstock on the edge of the Limberlost Swamp. At the beginning of the novel, Elnora is just beginning high school, where her unfashionable dress adds to her difficulty blending in with the other students. Lack of money for tuition and books nearly derails her continued enrollment. These difficulties are resolved through the kindness of her neighbours Wesley and Margaret Sinton, and by her enterprising scheme to gather and sell artifacts
and moths
from the Limberlost Swamp.
Elnora faces cold neglect by her mother, a woman ruined by the death of her husband in the swamp. Katharine implicates Elnora in his death, as her husband died in the swamp while she gave birth to their daughter. Eventually Elnora wins her mother's love, but new problems arise with the arrival of the young man Phillip Ammon. He has been sent to Onabasha to recuperate from an illness. He stays with Elnora and her mother for a summer and helps Elnora gather moths. The two gradually fall in love; however, he is already engaged to another young woman, Edith Carr. A year later, he finally breaks his engagement to the other woman. After more tribulations, he and Elnora are wed. Katharine reconciles with Elnora after learning that her husband had been unfaithful to her.
In an essay, Joan Aiken
mentioned the description of Elnora's lunchbox as a good example of detail in writing.
Movie versions:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer and naturalist
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
Gene Stratton-Porter
Gene Stratton-Porter
Gene Stratton-Porter was an American author, amateur naturalist, wildlife photographer, and one of the earliest women to form a movie studio and production company. She wrote some best-selling novels and well-received columns in national magazines, such as McCalls...
, was first published in August 1909. The story takes place in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, in and around the Limberlost Swamp
Limberlost Swamp
The Limberlost Swamp, parts of which were also known as the Loblolly Marsh, originally covered 13,000 acres in Indiana of present-day Adams and Jay counties. The wetlands had mixed vegetation and supported a rich biodiversity, significant for local and migrating birds and insects, as well as...
, during the early 20th century.
Plot summary
The novel is set in Indiana. Most of the action takes place either in or around the Limberlost Swamp, or in the nearby town of Onabasha.The novel's heroine Elnora Comstock is a poor girl who lives with her widowed mother Katharine Comstock on the edge of the Limberlost Swamp. At the beginning of the novel, Elnora is just beginning high school, where her unfashionable dress adds to her difficulty blending in with the other students. Lack of money for tuition and books nearly derails her continued enrollment. These difficulties are resolved through the kindness of her neighbours Wesley and Margaret Sinton, and by her enterprising scheme to gather and sell artifacts
Artifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
and moths
Moths
Moths may refer to:* Gustav Moths , German rower* The Moths!, an English indie rock band* MOTHS, members of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats...
from the Limberlost Swamp.
Elnora faces cold neglect by her mother, a woman ruined by the death of her husband in the swamp. Katharine implicates Elnora in his death, as her husband died in the swamp while she gave birth to their daughter. Eventually Elnora wins her mother's love, but new problems arise with the arrival of the young man Phillip Ammon. He has been sent to Onabasha to recuperate from an illness. He stays with Elnora and her mother for a summer and helps Elnora gather moths. The two gradually fall in love; however, he is already engaged to another young woman, Edith Carr. A year later, he finally breaks his engagement to the other woman. After more tribulations, he and Elnora are wed. Katharine reconciles with Elnora after learning that her husband had been unfaithful to her.
Reception
Widely read and popular, the novel brought fame to Stratton-Porter. It is considered a classic of Indiana literature. The novel was adapted several times for film, with versions released in 1924, 1934, and 1945, and a 1990 made-for-TV version that differed the most from the original plot.(see External links below).In an essay, Joan Aiken
Joan Aiken
Joan Delano Aiken MBE was an English novelist. She was born in Rye, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, American poet Conrad Aiken , her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge and her brother John Aiken Joan Delano Aiken MBE (4 September 1924 – 4 January 2004) was an English novelist....
mentioned the description of Elnora's lunchbox as a good example of detail in writing.
External links
- A Girl of the Limberlost, Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-20331-1.
- Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost, online text
- Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost, University of Virginia Library, online text
Movie versions: