Genre
Fiction Novel
Setting and Context
Set in the 19th century in Boston and England
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person point of view
Tone and Mood
Informative and ominous
Protagonist and Antagonist
The central character is Eugenia and the antagonist is Robert Acton.
Major Conflict
A major conflict exists between American purity and European complexity or high culture.
Climax
The climax comes when Felix paints a portrait of Gertrude, which allows them to bond more than ever.
Foreshadowing
Gertrude’s portrait foreshadows Mr. Wentworth’s desire to be painted by Felix.
Understatement
Eugenia downplays the impact of abuse when she asks her brother to abuse her so that she can feel better. Eugenia tells her brother, “Reproach me and abuse me, I think I should feel better.”
Allusions
N/A
Imagery
The description of Eugenia depicts the sense of sight. The author writes, "She was not pretty." The imagery represents the perceptions of Europeans about American women. Europeans believe that American ladies are prettier.
Paradox
There is irony when Mr. Brand organizes the marriage between Gertrude and Felix. Initially, Mr. Brand wanted to marry Gertrude, but she rejected his offer.
Parallelism
There is a parallelism between Eugenia’s decision to go to German and Felix’s opportunity to marry Gertrude.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The small cottage is personified as being lively and full of life.
