Tales of Trail and Town by Bret Harte
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"Tales of Trail and Town" by Bret Harte is a collection of short stories written during the late 19th century. The stories explore themes surrounding the lives of characters in mining towns and frontier communities, providing a glimpse into the complexity of social dynamics and individual ambitions. The opening tale introduces Peter Atherly, a man grappling with his family's storied past as he navigates life in the newly established town named after
him, contrasting his growing wealth with his mother’s humble beginnings and struggles with alcoholism. The opening of "Tales of Trail and Town" delves into the character of Peter Atherly, who is entrenched in his ambitions while bearing the weight of his lineage. Peter's mother, recently passed, reveals secrets about their heritage and challenges the pride he takes in their name. As Peter deals with his burgeoning reputation and the ridicule it invokes among the townsfolk, we see his sister, Jinny, transforming into a more vibrant and socially engaged woman, which further complicates Peter's efforts to distance himself from their mother's past. The narrative hints at themes of identity, familial duty, and the stark realities of frontier life, setting a rich backdrop for the subsequent stories in the collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Harte, Bret, 1836-1902 |
|---|---|
| Title | Tales of Trail and Town |
| Contents | The ancestors of Peter Atherly -- Two Americans -- The judgement of Bolinas Plain -- The strange experience of Alkali Dick -- A night on the divide -- The youngest prospector in Calaveras -- A tale of three truants. |
| Credits | Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 68.6 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | Western stories |
| Subject | American fiction -- 19th century |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 2550 |
| Release Date | May 18, 2006 |
| Last Update | Jan 27, 2021 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 531 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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