Orville College: A Story

by Henry Wood

"Orville College: A Story" by Mrs. Henry Wood is a novel written in the mid-19th century that explores the lives of boys at a private college and the complexities of their relationships. The story is centered around the characters of the students, particularly focusing on Dick Loftus, his brothers, and a new boy named George Paradyne, as they navigate the challenges of academia, peer pressures, and personal conflicts amidst a backdrop of societal expectations and family histories. The opening of the novel sets the stage at Orville College, illustrating a bustling return from holidays as boys arrive in various ways -- by carriage, cab, or train. The headmaster, Dr. Brabazon, is presented as welcoming and personable, contrasting with some of the students' more prideful and mischievous natures. As the boys gather, we see different personalities emerge, including Loftus, who showcases an inflated sense of self-importance, and the kind-hearted but troubled Dick. The narrative introduces the tension building around a mysterious shooting incident involving a student, James Talbot, which casts a shadow on the beginning of the term and hints at deeper conflicts involving family names and reputations. The groundwork for interpersonal drama is established, suggesting a rich exploration of themes of innocence, guilt, and the legacy of one’s lineage.