A Country Doctor

Sarah Orne Jewett’s first novel, A Country Doctor, published in 1884, reflects her own life as it centers on Nan’s dilemma between pursuing a medical career and adhering to traditional expectations of marriage. Set against the backdrop of rural Maine, the novel intricately depicts everyday life with vibrant descriptions of wildflowers, seaside wharfs, and the rhythms of small-town existence. Jewett’s writing captures not only the personal struggles of women in her time but also establishes her legacy as a significant figure in 19th-century American literature.