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Cover of Around the World with Josiah Allen's Wife

Around the World with Josiah Allen's Wife

Written by Marietta Holley

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Women travelers

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About this book

"Around the World with Josiah Allen's Wife" by Marietta Holley is a humorous travel narrative likely written in the late 19th century. The book follows the character Samantha, the wife of Josiah Allen, as she embarks on a journey abroad with her grandson Tommy, addressing themes of family duty, personal sacrifice, and social observation. Central to the story is Samantha's deep affection for her husband and her struggle to balance her responsibilities as a caregiver with her desire for adventure and new experiences. At the start of the work, Samantha is filled with concern for her grandson Tommy's health, as he is gravely ill and in need of a warm climate for recovery. Despite her reluctance to leave her husband Josiah, who adamantly refuses to accompany them on the journey, Samantha resolves to support her family. The narrative paints a vivid picture of their emotional farewells and the struggles she faces as she prepares to travel, reflecting on her husband’s devotion and her attachment to home. As the journey begins, the reader is introduced to various characters that will accompany Samantha and Tommy, providing a rich backdrop for their international adventure.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Around the World with Josiah Allen's Wife, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 10 hours
  • intermediate
  • humorous
  • uplifting
  • observational

Marietta Holley's "Around the World with Josiah Allen's Wife" is a delightful late 19th-century humorous travel narrative following the indomitable Samantha Allen. Driven by concern for her gravely ill grandson Tommy, who requires a warmer climate, Samantha reluctantly embarks on a global journey despite her deep attachment to her home and her steadfast husband, Josiah, who refuses to accompany them. The book chronicles her experiences abroad, blending her unique brand of common-sense observation and homespun wisdom with the exoticism of foreign lands. Through her adventures, Samantha navigates the dual demands of family duty and personal longing for new experiences, offering a witty and often poignant commentary on culture, society, and the enduring values of hearth and home.

“"I declare, the world is a sight bigger than our back forty, but folks are much of a muchness, no matter where ye find 'em."”

Key themes

Family Duty and Sacrifice
This theme is central, as Samantha undertakes a daunting global journey solely out of love and duty for her ailing grandson, sacrificing her comfort and separation from her beloved husband. It explores the depths of familial obligation and the personal costs involved.
Social Observation and Critique
Through Samantha's eyes, Holley offers a humorous yet pointed critique of various social customs, class distinctions, and cultural eccentricities, both American and foreign. Samantha's common-sense perspective often highlights the absurdities of societal norms and human folly.
Domesticity vs. Adventure
This theme explores Samantha's internal struggle between her deep attachment to her home, her husband, and her familiar routines, and the call of adventure, albeit one thrust upon her. It highlights the tension between the comfort of the known and the allure (or necessity) of the unknown.

Worth discussing

How does Samantha's rural American perspective shape her observations of foreign cultures, and what does this reveal about late 19th-century American identity?

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