One way out

by Frederick Orin Bartlett (1876–1945)

• Free to read
• 4 hours to read
• 20 chapters
• Reading level: 7th grade

"One Way Out: A Middle-class New-Englander Emigrates to America" by William Carleton is a memoir written in the early 20th century. The book chronicles the author's journey from a middling existence in New England to a bold new life in America, highlighting the struggles and triumphs that come with such a transition. The central figure, referred to as Carleton, navigates the complexities of day-to-day life, shedding light on his family's history and the societal pressures of his upbringing, all while seeking a better future for himself and his loved ones. The opening of the memoir establishes Carleton's deep roots in New England, detailing his lineage of service to the country through wars, yet it also reveals his sense of entrapment within the middle class. After the death of his father and feeling burdened by financial constraints, Carleton's soul-searching culminates in the decision to emigrate to America, an idea fueled by inspirational letters from others seeking a way out. He recounts moments of personal hardship, reflecting on the heavy emotions surrounding his father's death and the struggle to carve out a successful path amidst the constraints of his middle-class upbringing. As he considers the prospect of change, readers sense his resolve to reclaim his narrative and seek opportunities beyond the limitations of his past.

• Political fiction
• United States · Social conditions · 1865-1918