''Autobiography of a Pocket Handkerchief'' is a
serial novel
In literature, a serial is a printing or publishing format by which a single larger work, often a work of narrative fiction, is published in smaller, sequential instalments. The instalments are also known as ''numbers'', ''parts'' or ''fascicle ...
by
James Fenimore Cooper first published by ''
Graham's Magazine
''Graham's Magazine'' was a nineteenth-century periodical based in Philadelphia established by George Rex Graham and published from 1840 to 1858. It was alternatively referred to as ''Graham's Lady's and Gentleman's Magazine'' (1841–1842, and Ju ...
'' in 1843.
The novel explores the upper crust of New York Society from the perspective of a woman's
handkerchief
A handkerchief (; also called a hankie or, historically, a handkercher or a ) is a form of a kerchief or bandanna, typically a hemmed square of thin fabric which can be carried in the pocket or handbag for personal hygiene purposes such as wi ...
.
After the initial publication in ''Graham's Magazine'' the novel was published by several other magazines, including ''
Brother Jonathan''.
[ The novel was published in whole in 1843 by Cooper's London publisher Richard Bentley under a separate title, ''The French Governess; or, The Embroidered Handkerchief''.][ In 1845 a German publisher also published the work in full.][
]
Themes
Critic Thomas Bender describes the whole novel as devoted "to the subject of the evils of selfishly attempting to achieve higher place".[
]
References
External links
*
Novels by James Fenimore Cooper
1843 American novels
Novels first published in serial form
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