The Kentons

"The Kentons" by William Dean Howells is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story focuses on the lives of the Kenton family, particularly Judge Kenton and his children, as they navigate personal relationships, societal expectations, and their individual aspirations in a small Midwestern town. Themes of familial loyalty, the struggle between tradition and modernity, and the complexities of youthful love emerge as central elements throughout the narrative. The opening of "The Kentons" introduces the reader to the Kenton family and their comfortable life in Tuskingum. Judge Kenton is portrayed as a man who is proud of his family and their community, reflected in his long-standing connections and his past as a soldier. The narrative details the dynamics between him, his wife, and their children, highlighting the tensions and affections that characterize their relationships. As their daughter Ellen becomes involved with a young man named Bittridge, the family faces a crisis that forces them to confront their values and the influence of societal expectations on their lives. The complexities of love, duty, and personal desires begin to unfold against the backdrop of family life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Dean Howells was an American realist novelist, literary critic, and playwright, nicknamed "The Dean of American Letters". He was particularly known for his tenure as editor of The Atlantic Monthly, as well as for the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Traveler from Altruria, and the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day," which was adapted into a 1996 film of the same name.