The Foot by Alice Meynell (1905)

Name: The Foot
Author: Alice Meynell

The Foot by Alice Meynell is a poem that explores the idea of the foot as a symbol of movement and action. The speaker reflects on the various functions of the foot, from walking to running, and how it allows us to move through the world. The poem also touches on themes of time and mortality, as the speaker considers the passing of time and the inevitability of death. Overall, The Foot is a thought-provoking and beautifully written poem that invites readers to reflect on their own movements and actions in life.

By Alice Meynell · First published 1905 · Genre: Essay, Non-fiction, Philosophical · 1,276 words

First lines

Time was when no good news made a journey, and no friend came near, but a welcome was uttered, or at least thought, for the travelling feet of the wayfarer or the herald. The feet, the feet were beautiful on the mountains; their toil was the price of all communication, and their reward the first service and refreshment. They were blessed and bathed; they suffered, but they were friends with the earth; dews in grass at morning, shallow rivers at noon, gave them coolness. They must have grown hard upon their mountain paths, yet never so hard but they needed and had the first pity and the readiest succour. It was never easy for the feet of man to travel this earth, shod or unshod, and his feet are delicate, like his colour.

What this Textopian page supports

The Foot is listed on Textopian as an essay by Alice Meynell, dated 1905 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Essay
Author: Alice Meynell
Date: 1905 CE
Language: English
Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, Philosophical, Historical
Length: 1,276 words
Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Essay — The book is an essay by Alice Meynell exploring the metaphorical and symbolic significance of the human foot, providing a philosophical perspective on its role and depiction in art and literature.
Non-fiction — The book is based on factual events and factual pieces of information related to the human foot and its interpretation in different cultures and historical timeframes.
Philosophical — The book delves into philosophical discussions about the human condition and the use of foot as a metaphor for human journey and experiences.
Historical — The book reflects on the depictions and symbolisms of the foot in historical works of art and literature.