The Virginians

"The Virginians" by William Makepeace Thackeray is a story set in colonial America and England, following twin brothers Harry and George Warrington as they deal with family, who they are, and their place in a changing world headed toward independence. The story starts with Harry Warrington traveling from Virginia to England after George passes away. The start of the Revolutionary War puts family loyalties to the test, as some support the colonies and others side with England. As Harry tries to connect with his English family, he has to deal with class differences and social rules, but his rich relatives don't really care about him. Even though he is sometimes treated well, he is mostly ignored. All Harry wants is to be accepted and feel like he belongs, even though he must overcome differences between cultures. The novel shows the tension between the Old World and the New World.