Angela's Business

"Angela's Business" by Henry Sydnor Harrison is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative unfolds primarily through the experiences of Charles Garrott, a young author who grapples with modern concepts of womanhood, relationships, and societal expectations. It introduces various characters representing different perspectives on gender roles and the evolving status of women in society. The opening of the novel sets the stage for Charles Garrott's internal conflict as he attempts to balance his aspirations as a writer with the pressures of social interaction and existing gender norms. He is drawn into discussions about women's independence while observing the contrasting approaches to life between his socially advanced friend Mary Wing and the more traditional Angela Flower, Mary's cousin. This juxtaposition raises questions within Charles about the meaning of being a woman in a changing world and the responsibilities associated with careers versus homemaking. As he navigates conversations with both women, the reader gains insight into Charles's developing views on femininity and societal roles, hinting at a deeper examination of these themes throughout the story. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Henry Sydnor Harrison (1880–1930) was an American novelist, born in Sewanee, Tenn. He graduated from Columbia in 1900, and received an honorary A.M. from the same university in 1913. In 1914, he was elected a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters. He wrote under the pen name "Henry Second," and made contributions to The Atlantic Monthly and other magazines. Novels written by him include Queed (1911) and V.V.'s Eyes (1913), which were very well received. Other works include Angela's Business (1915), When I Come Back (1919), Saint Teresa (1922), and Marriage (1923), a volume of short stories. Harrison also wrote a story, called "Miss Hinch", where a daring criminal and the lady after her make their way through New York City streets at midnight.