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258
Novel • Fiction
Midwestern United States • 1920s
1925
Adult
18+ years
The Professor’s House by Willa Cather depicts the inner struggles of Godfrey St. Peter, a history professor grappling with his identity in middle age. He remains attached to his old house, where memories of his late student Tom Outland and their shared interest in the American Southwest haunt him. St. Peter navigates family tensions and his sense of missed opportunities while working on editing Tom's diaries. The book includes depictions of suicidal ideation and the misappropriation of Indigenous culture.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Nostalgic
Bittersweet
Emotional
Willa Cather's The Professor's House blends introspective and evocative prose, exploring themes of change and disillusionment. Critics praise its rich character development and atmospheric depiction of midlife crisis. However, some find its pacing slow and the narrative structure disjointed. Overall, it's a thought-provoking, though occasionally divisive, literary work.
Readers who appreciate introspective narratives and character-driven stories will enjoy Willa Cather's The Professor's House. Fans of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence will find Cather's exploration of personal growth and cultural changes deeply resonant.
Tom Outland
A character who exists largely in memories as an influential figure in Godfrey St. Peter's life. Described with admirable qualities, Tom's presence looms over the other characters.
Lillian St. Peter
St. Peter's wife, who shares a complicated and evolving relationship with her husband. Her worldly nature is contrasted by St. Peter’s introspective personality.
Louie Marsellus
An engineer married to St. Peter's elder daughter Rosamond, known for his wealth and generosity. He champions Tom Outland posthumously, aiming to gain acceptance in his new family.
Rosamond Marsellus
St. Peter’s elder daughter, previously engaged to Tom Outland. Married to Louie Marsellus, she has embraced a life of wealth and luxury that brings tension within the family.
Scott McGregor
Kathleen St. Peter’s husband, who maintains a friendly relationship with his father-in-law and shares interests with him. His career as a writer connects him closely with Kathleen and St. Peter.
Kathleen McGregor
The younger daughter of St. Peter, who remains close to her father. She shares a mutual appreciation and memory of Tom Outland with her father.
Augusta
The St. Peters' housekeeper, who has a history of friendship and cooperation with Godfrey St. Peter. She shares space in the attic room and proves crucial in key moments.
258
Novel • Fiction
Midwestern United States • 1920s
1925
Adult
18+ years
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