The Crux

By Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Book Overview

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, celebrated author of "The Yellow Wallpaper," delves into the complex social issues of the early 20th century with "The Crux." This thought-provoking work of feminist fiction explores the controversial topic of eugenics and its potential impact on society. Through a compelling narrative, Gilman examines the intersection of social reform movements and the deeply personal choices individuals face.

"The Crux" offers a powerful critique of societal norms and expectations, prompting readers to consider the ethical implications of social engineering. Gilman's keen observations on sociology and the human condition resonate even today, making this literary work a significant contribution to discussions surrounding social justice and individual autonomy. This meticulously prepared print edition ensures that Gilman's important voice continues to be heard.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023310058
• ISBN13: 9781023310055
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 134 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Essential, entertaining reading for Gilman fans

The Crux is essential reading for anyone seriously interested in the writings of Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and Jennifer S. Tuttle's is to be commended for bringing it to readers in this excellent edition. After having read most of Gilman's other fiction, I will admit that I put off reading this one because of its reputation as "the book about venereal disease" (sexually transmitted diseases). I feared it would be didactic, heavy handed, and depressing. Instead, it's like the best of Gilman's "optimistic reform" books: it treats its serious subject with a light touch, conveying its important ideas through appealing characters and a strong plot with Gilman's typical "happy ending." (Some readers might argue that the ending is a bit implausible, but that's part of the interest of this set of Gilman's writings.) At times, it is laugh-out-loud funny. Also, it's not entirely accurate to say that the book is "about" venereal disease, for although the last third of the book discusses the dangers women faced from sexually transmitted diseases in the years before adequate cures had been discovered, there is much more to the story. It portrays the opportunities for self discovery open to women who move from the stultifying conditions of New England villages to the open life in a new city in the Colorado mountains. The women characters (on whom the story focuses) range from young unmarried women to a seemingly dried-up old maid, a woman doctor, and one of literature's most delightful grandmothers. My only serious objection to this edition is that University of Delaware Press, for some unaccountable reason, has elected to publish this book only in an expensive hardback edition. The story, along with Tuttle's illuminating introduction and clear explanatory notes, would be highly suitable as a teaching text if the book were available in a reasonably-priced paper edition.