The New Warden

"The New Warden" by David G. Ritchie is a book set in Oxford during World War I, and it tells the story of Dr. Middleton, the new Warden, as he grapples with duty, love, and a world rapidly changing because of the war. The story follows Dr. Middleton through his complicated relationships, especially with his sister, Lady Dashwood, who wants to control his future, and Gwendolen Scott, a young woman who will greatly affect his life. The setting of Oxford is shown as a place of great learning now overshadowed by the war. Lady Dashwood's worries about her brother's future, particularly her desire to keep him from marrying someone she considers unsuitable, set the stage for conflicts between the characters, including the Warden’s loneliness, and Gwendolen's innocent hopes.