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Cover of The Ancient Law

The Ancient Law

Written by Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow

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VirginiaEx-convictsAtonementTextile industryIndustrial relations

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About this book

"The Ancient Law" by Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Daniel Ordway, a man recently released from prison, as he navigates his newfound freedom and struggles to reintegrate into society while coping with the remnants of his past. Themes of redemption and the pursuit of a new life amid personal and societal challenges are likely explored throughout the narrative. At the start of the novel, the reader is introduced to Daniel Ordway as he savors the taste of freedom after five years in prison. His initial journey takes him along a desolate Virginia road to the small town of Tappahannock, where he hopes to find work and begin anew. As he reflects on his past—a life of ambition that ended in disgrace—he encounters the realities of poverty and the hardships of those around him, including a kind African American woman who shares her meager food with him. Despite the bleakness of the landscape and his current situation, Ordway is filled with a newfound desire for life, setting the stage for his quest for redemption in this new chapter of his existence.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Ancient Law, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 9 hours
  • intermediate
  • somber
  • hopeful
  • reflective

Ellen Glasgow's "The Ancient Law" chronicles the arduous journey of Daniel Ordway, a man recently released from a five-year prison sentence, as he endeavors to rebuild his life and seek redemption in early 20th-century Virginia. Faced with the harsh realities of societal prejudice and his own tarnished past, Ordway grapples with the 'ancient law' of unforgiveness and judgment. The novel delves into his internal struggles and external challenges, exploring themes of moral integrity, the possibility of a second chance, and the enduring human spirit amidst adversity. Through his encounters and choices, Ordway strives to define his own path to honor, challenging conventional notions of justice and societal acceptance.

“Freedom was a taste, a scent, a color that he had almost forgotten.”

Key themes

Redemption and Forgiveness
The central theme, exploring whether an individual can truly atone for past mistakes and earn a second chance, both from society and from within themselves. The novel challenges the idea that redemption is solely granted by external forces.
Societal Judgment and Prejudice
Examines the 'ancient law' of unforgiveness and the pervasive prejudice against those who have fallen from grace. It critiques the rigid social structures and moral hypocrisies of early 20th-century Southern society.
Personal Integrity and Moral Law
Explores the idea that there is a higher, internal moral law that guides an individual's actions, often in defiance of external societal norms or legal statutes. Daniel's journey is about defining and living by his own code of honor.

Worth discussing

How does Glasgow define 'the ancient law' in the novel, and how does it manifest in the lives of the characters?

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