Goody Two-Shoes
Synopsis
The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes is a 1765 children's story about Margery Meanwell, a poor orphan girl whose nickname comes from her constant repetition of "two shoes" after a pair of shoes. After her brother is sent away for work, Margery pursues an education and becomes a teacher, only to be accused of witchcraft for her kindness to animals and her use of a barometer. The charges are dropped by a sympathetic judge, and she eventually marries a local widower. The story is credited with popularizing the phrase "goody two-shoes" and is considered one of the earliest works of English children's literature.
Genres
Characters
A poor orphan girl whose nickname comes from her constant repetition of "two shoes" after receiving a pair; she pursues education and becomes a teacher.
Margery's brother, who is sent away to find work after their parents' death.
The clergyman who takes the orphaned siblings in.
A knight and judge who defends Margery against accusations of witchcraft.
A widower and local gentleman whom Margery cares for and who eventually proposes to her.