"Rutledge" by Miriam Coles Harris is a novel written in the mid-19th century. The story introduces a young girl, who is on the brink of leaving the confines of her boarding school, St. Catharine's, and embarking on a new chapter in her life with her mysterious aunt and cousins. As she prepares for this separation, her bittersweet emotions intertwine with a sense of anticipation about her future, hinting at deeper familial dynamics
that will unfold throughout the narrative. The opening of the novel sets a somber yet reflective tone as the protagonist grapples with the emotions surrounding her departure from school and the weight of uncertainty about her aunt's home life and her cousins. The darkness of the November day parallels her feelings of melancholy and introspection, as she reminisces about school friendships and rivalries. This emotional landscape is disrupted when a visitor, Mr. Arthur Rutledge, arrives, prompting both trepidation and curiosity in the main character. Mr. Rutledge's quiet authority contrasts with her youthful anxieties, drawing her into a new world of adult interactions that she is unprepared for. As the journey progresses, the seeds of conflict, survival, and personal growth hint at the complexities awaiting her in her new life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
