""The White Mr. Longfellow"" is a novel written by William Dean Howells. The book revolves around the life of a young African-American boy named Dick Johnson who is taken in by the Longfellow family. The Longfellows are a wealthy white family who live in Boston and are known for their philanthropic work. The story is set in the late 19th century and explores the themes of race, class, and identity.Dick is taken in by the Longfellows after his mother dies and he is left alone on the streets. The Longfellows treat him like ...
Read More
""The White Mr. Longfellow"" is a novel written by William Dean Howells. The book revolves around the life of a young African-American boy named Dick Johnson who is taken in by the Longfellow family. The Longfellows are a wealthy white family who live in Boston and are known for their philanthropic work. The story is set in the late 19th century and explores the themes of race, class, and identity.Dick is taken in by the Longfellows after his mother dies and he is left alone on the streets. The Longfellows treat him like one of their own and provide him with a good education and a comfortable life. However, as Dick grows older, he begins to struggle with his identity and the fact that he is seen as different by society.The novel also explores the relationship between Dick and the Longfellow daughter, Alice. Alice is a free-spirited young woman who is drawn to Dick's intelligence and charm. However, their relationship is complicated by the racial and social barriers that exist between them.Throughout the book, Howells challenges the reader to examine their own biases and prejudices. He also highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in overcoming these barriers.Overall, ""The White Mr. Longfellow"" is a thought-provoking and insightful novel that explores the complexities of race and identity in America.I once asked him if he were not a great deal interrupted, and he said, with a faint sigh, Not more than was good for him, he fancied; if it were not for the interruptions, he might overwork. He was not a friend to stated exercise, I believe, nor fond of walking, as Lowell was; he had not, indeed, the childish associations of the younger poet with the Cambridge neighborhoods.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
Read Less