The Iron Rule; Or, Tyranny in the Household

"The Iron Rule; Or, Tyranny in the Household" by T. S. Arthur is a story set in the 1800s about a young boy named Andrew Howland whose home life is filled with difficulty due to his father's strict and authoritarian parenting style. The central focus of the story is how this harsh upbringing impacts Andrew, and how his father’s unyielding discipline creates constant tension in the household. Although his mother tries to soften the impact with her kindness, the father's rigidity prevails, especially when it comes to Andrew's friendship with Emily Winters, which he forbids. As Andrew gets older, his resentment grows leading to acts of rebellion and the plot builds on these critical incidents and the tragic outcomes that arise from this conflict, illustrating the damaging effects of a household ruled by tyranny and a lack of understanding.