The Barbadoes Girl: A Tale for Young People

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21975

Title

The Barbadoes Girl: A Tale for Young People

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Mrs. Hofland's moral tale follows Matilda Sophia Hanson, a proud and spoiled girl from the West Indies who arrives in England with a servant named Zebby. After a scalding accident reveals her cruelty, Matilda undergoes a profound transformation through repentance and kindness, learning humility and true affection. This instructive story for young people explores themes of pride, forgiveness, and the importance of self-control, offering a heartwarming lesson on moral growth and the rewards of a virtuous life.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'The Barbadoes Girl: A Tale for Young People,' Mrs. Hofland presents a moral fable centered on Matilda Sophia Hanson, a young woman from the West Indies who arrives in England to live with the Harewood family. Initially, Matilda is characterized by extreme pride, vanity, and cruelty, particularly toward her enslaved attendant, Zebby. Her haughty demeanor and despotic treatment of servants shock the sensible Harewood children, especially the gentle Ellen. A pivotal moment occurs when Matilda, in a fit of temper, throws a glass of beer in Zebby's face, causing a scalding injury. The family's reaction is severe; Mr. Harewood forbids Zebby from serving Matilda, and the girl is left to face the consequences of her actions. However, the narrative quickly shifts from punishment to redemption. As Matilda recovers from her burns, she experiences deep remorse, realizing the gravity of her behavior. She tenderly cares for the injured Zebby, weeping with gratitude and contrition. This incident marks the beginning of her spiritual and emotional maturation. Through reading, reflection, and the guidance of her new family, Matilda suppresses her impetuous temper and learns to value kindness over status. The story progresses to reveal that Matilda's heart was never truly bound to her previous suitors but had been clouded by pride. She finds genuine love and happiness with Edmund Harewood, while her brother Charles marries Miss Weston. The novel concludes with the entire family united in happiness, having learned that true beauty lies in moral character rather than physical appearance. Mrs. Hofland uses this narrative to instruct young readers on the necessity of guarding their hearts against pride and vanity, emphasizing that repentance and humility are the paths to lasting virtue and joy.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/21975.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg21975.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-06 17:44 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Conduct of Life