Harry Joscelyn; vol. 1 of 3

"Harry Joscelyn, vol. 1" by Mrs. Oliphant is a book set in the 19th century that digs into the complicated relationships within the Joscelyn family, mainly the struggles between Harry, the youngest son, and his strict father, Ralph. It shows the family's trouble and Harry's desire for a life that goes beyond the rules of his upbringing. At the start, the story shows the stress in the Joscelyn house and includes elements of family arguments and roles. Mrs. Joscelyn is anxious about the fighting between her husband and son, while Joan, Harry's sister, is cool and judges her mother's feelings. Ralph, the father, is a strong, controlling figure who rules the family with a hard attitude. When Harry gets home late from the "Red Lion," the silence at the door makes the tension rise and Harry's impatience with his mother grows by not responding. This beginning sets the scene for a deeper look at the relationships in the family, and the challenges they face with old-fashioned family roles.