How Gilbert Died
"How Gilbert Died" is a novella written by Andrew Barton Paterson in 1926. The story follows the life of Gilbert, a young man who is born into a wealthy family but feels suffocated by his privileged upbringing. He longs for adventure and excitement, but his parents are determined to keep him safe and secure within the confines of their estate. One day, Gilbert discovers a hidden cave deep in the nearby woods, and he decides to explore it, despite the warnings from his parents. Inside the cave, he finds a mysterious artifact that changes his life forever. The novella delves into themes of rebellion, self-discovery, and the dangers of playing with forces beyond one's control.
By Andrew Barton Paterson · First published 1907 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Crime · 983 words
First lines
There's never a stone at the sleeper's head, There's never a fence beside, And the wandering stock on the grave may tread Unnoticed and undenied, But the smallest child on the Watershed Can tell you how Gilbert died.
For he rode at dusk, with his comrade Dunn To the hut at the Stockman's Ford, In the waning light of the sinking sun They peered with a fierce accord. They were outlaws both -- and on each man's head Was a thousand pounds reward.
What this Textopian page supports
How Gilbert Died is listed on Textopian as a short story by Andrew Barton Paterson, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Andrew Barton Paterson
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Crime, Literary Fiction
- Length: 983 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for How Gilbert Died by Andrew Barton Paterson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Requiem by Annie Fellows Johnston
- The Robber by Annie Fellows Johnston
- The Deceased And His Heirs by Ambrose Bierce
- Birthday Present by Arnold Marmor
- An Old Daguerreotype by Annie Fellows Johnston
- The Gardener by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Adventure — The story is about the daring exploits and experiences of Gilbert, a notable bushranger.
- Historical Fiction — The plot revolves around real historical events during the late 19th century, particularly related to the Australian bushranging phenomena.
- Crime — Gilbert, the central character, is involved in various criminal activities, and his subsequent downfall forms the crux of the story.
- Literary Fiction — Though fictionalized, the story adopts a realistic tone and style to depict the era and events, which can be classified under literary fiction.
Tags
death · grief · loss · mourning · sadness · tragedy · emotional · family · relationships · inheritance · will · estate