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Cover of Polly's Southern Cruise

Polly's Southern Cruise

Written by Lillian Elizabeth Roy

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Adventure storiesSea storiesYoung womenCubaOcean travelCaribbean AreaFlorida

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About this book

"Polly's Southern Cruise" by Lillian Elizabeth Roy is a fiction novel written in the early 20th century. Centered around the adventures of two young women, Polly Brewster and her friend Eleanor Maynard, the narrative focuses on their excitement and challenges as they embark on a yachting trip from New York to South America aboard Mr. Dalken's yacht. Their journey is filled with personal dynamics, including the arrival of notable characters like Mrs. Courtney and Elizabeth Dalken, which leads to both camaraderie and conflicts among the group. The opening of the novel presents Polly and Eleanor as they finalize plans for the cruise and prepare to present their ideas to their friends. They intend to negotiate the itinerary for their journey while dealing with the complexities of friendship and rivalry, especially concerning Elizabeth and her relationships. As they gather for dinner at Mr. Dalken's apartment to discuss the voyage, underlying tensions surface, particularly related to Elizabeth's character and her potential impact on the group’s dynamic. This sets the stage for the forthcoming adventures, with themes of exploration, friendship, and social class interwoven throughout this lively narrative.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Polly's Southern Cruise, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • uplifting
  • adventurous
  • social

Lillian Elizabeth Roy's "Polly's Southern Cruise" is an early 20th-century adventure novel chronicling the yachting escapades of two young women, Polly Brewster and Eleanor Maynard. Their ambitious journey from New York to South America aboard Mr. Dalken's yacht forms the backdrop for a vibrant exploration of friendship, rivalry, and social dynamics. As they finalize plans, negotiate itineraries, and prepare for departure, the arrival of characters like Mrs. Courtney and Elizabeth Dalken introduces both camaraderie and underlying tensions within the group. The narrative promises a lively blend of exploration and personal challenges, setting the stage for an engaging voyage filled with youthful aspirations and burgeoning conflicts.

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Key themes

Exploration and Adventure
The central theme of the novel, focusing on the excitement and challenges of a yachting trip from New York to South America. It explores the allure of travel, discovery of new places, and the physical and mental fortitude required for such a grand journey. This theme highlights the protagonists' desire for experience beyond their immediate surroundings.
Friendship and Rivalry
This theme explores the intricate dynamics between individuals, particularly among young women. It delves into the bonds of friendship (between Polly and Eleanor) and the tensions of rivalry (especially concerning Elizabeth Dalken), examining how these relationships are tested and shaped by shared experiences and conflicting personalities within a confined social setting.
Female Agency and Independence
For an early 20th-century novel, the depiction of Polly and Eleanor actively planning, negotiating, and embarking on a grand adventure suggests a theme of emerging female independence. It explores young women taking initiative and seeking experiences beyond traditional domestic roles, challenging societal norms of the period.

Worth discussing

How does the novel portray female independence and ambition in the early 20th century?

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