An Old Daguerreotype

Name: An Old Daguerreotype
Author: Annie Fellows Johnston

"An Old Daguerreotype" is a short story about an old man who discovers a daguerreotype of his wife, taken when they were young and in love. The man becomes obsessed with the image and spends hours staring at it, lost in memories of their past happiness. As he gazes at the photo, he realizes that time has taken its toll on him and his wife, and that their youthful love has faded. The story is a poignant exploration of the passage of time and the fragility of human relationships.

By Annie Fellows Johnston · First published 1920 · Genre: Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Adventure · 4,369 words

First lines

CALEB SPEED pushed back his chair from the dinner-table with anger and disgust in his face. The door had just banged behind a big, hearty boy of seventeen, whom he could still see through the narrow window trudging off toward the barn.

The lively whistle that sounded through the closed windows seemed to aggravate the man's ill-temper. He walked over to the fireplace, and kicked the smouldering logs with his heavy boot.

What this Textopian page supports

An Old Daguerreotype is listed on Textopian as a short story by Annie Fellows Johnston, dated 1920 CE.

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

Work type: Short story
Author: Annie Fellows Johnston
Date: 1920 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Drama
Length: 4,369 words
Structure: 1 section, 81 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — Annie Fellows Johnson primarily writes children's literature, and this particular work features themes suitable for a younger audience.
Historical Fiction — The text heavily involves historical settings, situations, and personalities relevant to the time period.
Adventure — The plot includes elements of adventure and exploration, with characters facing challenges and obstacles.
Drama — The plot revolves around personal issues of the characters encompassing emotional plotline, making it relevant to the genre.