The House with the Green Shutters

"The House with the Green Shutters" by George Douglas Brown is a tale set in a close-knit Scottish town, focusing on John Gourlay, a self-important businessman, who finds his status challenged. The story examines themes of pride, social standing, and complicated relationships between Gourlay, his wife, and the envious townspeople. Gourlay is introduced as a man full of pride in his business achievements but also deeply insecure, viewing his neighbors with disdain because he thinks they are envious of what he has. The opening chapters portray his difficult interactions with both his workers and rivals and the strain in his home life, ultimately capturing Gourlay's complex ego and the tensions within the small community.