Cressy by Bret Harte

"Cressy" by Bret Harte is a work of fiction, likely written during the late 19th century. The narrative unfolds in a rural California schoolhouse, focusing on the dynamics between the young schoolmaster, Mr. Jack Ford, and his pupils. Central to the story is Cressy McKinstry, a sixteen-year-old girl who has returned to school after a broken engagement, navigating her newfound freedom amidst the whimsical and chaotic life of her classmates. The opening of the story introduces the master’s rather serious demeanor as he prepares for a day of teaching, highlighting his youthful struggle with authority and the innocence of his students. As the children gather, their comical interruptions and vivid personalities come to life, including their fixation on Cressy, who is now a focal point of curiosity. Particularly notable is Cressy's re-entry into the school environment, which prompts various reactions and sets the stage for future interactions, including the lingering tension surrounding her past engagement with Seth Davis. The master’s reflections about his responsibilities along with his observations of Cressy's effects on the other pupils establish the groundwork for exploring themes of love, youth, and societal expectations in this frontier setting. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Harte, Bret, 1836-1902
Title Cressy
Credits Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger
Reading Level Reading ease score: 68.3 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject American fiction -- 19th century
Subject Young women -- Fiction
Subject Teachers -- Fiction
Subject Schoolgirls -- Fiction
Subject California -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 2858
Release Date
Last Update Jan 27, 2021
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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