Ruth Arnold or, the Country Cousin

"Ruth Arnold" by Lucy Byerley is a coming-of-age story set in the late 1800s, centered on Ruth Arnold, a lively fourteen-year-old. Leaving her quiet life on an English farm, Ruth journeys to the bustling city to spend the summer with her well-to-do cousins, where she learns about social class and tries to figure out who she is. The story begins with Ruth feeling restless after school, shortly before receiving an invitation to visit her cousin Julia. While Ruth is grateful for her simple life, she yearns to see new things. As she carries out her usual chores on the farm, she imagines a world far grander and more exciting than her small village. Ruth's visit highlights the contrast between her family's hard work and humble circumstances and the ease and luxury of her relatives. This change marks the beginning of Ruth's development as she grapples with uncertainty and the pressures of belonging.