Hope Benham: A Story for Girls

by Nora Perry

"Hope Benham: A Story for Girls" by Nora Perry is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around Hope Benham, a determined young girl who sells flowers to earn money for a violin she longs to own. Exploring themes of class distinction and personal ambition, the narrative also delves into the complexities of Hope's character as she navigates her relationships with both her loving family and the social expectations around her. At the start of the book, readers meet Hope as she successfully sells arbutus flowers at the Brookside station, revealing her entrepreneurial spirit and her dreams of music. Hope's joy in her sales is soon contrasted with the disdainful attitude she encounters from well-off peers like Dolly Dering, who struggles to understand Hope's choices. This initial interaction exposes the class divide and sets the stage for Hope's journey, highlighting her resilience and her desire to be seen as more than her economic circumstances. The chapter establishes a narrative rich with character dynamics and social commentary within the context of a coming-of-age story.