In it's own words, the novel Elsie Venner, written by Oliver Wendell Holmes, has been called “A Romance of Destiny” (Title), “a medicated novel” (Preface 1), and a “test [of] the doctrine of ‘original sin' and human responsibility” (Preface 1). I see very little of these attributes in the novel, but rather see a story of a strange young girl who loves a man who doesn't love her back. I know what Holmes was attempting, which was to write a harsh commentary of the “original sin” theory that prevailed in New England churches. However, I believe he spent too much of the novel talking about human nature instead of showing the reader, through the actions of his characters, what he felt was central to humanity. This novel is already so obscure that most Americans haven't read it or even heard of it, and this is due to the many structural and conventional flaws that exist in the text.
[...] The Widow Rowens plans a tea party solely for the intent of wooing Dudley. The invitees are Elsie, Dudley, Richard, Blanche Creamer lady from the town), Dr. Kittredge, Helen Darley, Mr. Bernard Langdon, Rev. Dr. Honeywood, and his granddaughter Letty. She purposefully sets Dudley in between herself and Helen to contrast herself with the plain-looking teacher. The tea party is quite eventful, as Dudley ignores the Widow and gives all of his attention to Helen, and Mr. Bernard makes friends with young Letty while Elsie stares with envy. [...]
[...] Kittredge about a birthmark which Elsie has, and that is why she always wears great necklaces. Richard decides to try to woo Elsie one last time before becoming desperate. He asks her to dance in the parlor, but he stares at her necklace, which makes her panic. He knows that she loves Mr. Bernard, and decides to take him out of the picture: he will murder the schoolmaster and make it look like a suicide. Bernard begins to feel uneasy, and he talks to Helen. [...]
[...] Bernard finally decides to climb the dangerous mountain to see where exactly the flowers come from, and on his journey meets one of the infamous rattlesnakes which plague the mountain. Within a matter of seconds Elsie is right behind him, staring down the rattlesnake with her enchanting diamond eyes. Mr. Bernard decides to study the rattlesnakes, but his efforts to comprehend Elsie's mystery are fruitless. He then goes to Dr. Kittredge to ask him questions, and the doctor inquires as to Mr. Bernard's fascination with the young girl. Bernard insists he does not love her, regardless of her feelings for him. Dr. [...]
[...] Kittredge then gives Bernard a small revolver to protect him from Elsie and anything else that might threaten his safety. The narrator gives a glimpse into the Venner family history, informing the reader that Cousin Dick had come to town to not only marry Elsie, but also to inherit the substantial Venner fortune. Mr. Bernard writes a letter to the professor (the narrator) asking about medical conditions similar to what Elsie experiences. The professor writes back, but is of little help. [...]
[...] One of the first things this young man notices in his school is a “wild-looking who is none other than Elsie Venner. Mr. Bernard asks about her, beginning with the young school teacher, Miss Helen Darley. Helen does not offer much information other than her social behavior and the fact that most of the girls in the school, including herself, are frightened of her. Mr. Bernard quickly becomes intrigued with this girl, who never socializes with the other girls in the class, who wears strange looking gold jewelry, and who lives in the reputable Dudley Mansion with her father, Dudley, and her black nurse, Sophy. [...]
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