The Hero of Waterloo
The novel is a historical fiction account of the Battle of Waterloo. It revolves around the life of a young British officer who fights in the battle. The story explores themes of duty, loyalty, and sacrifice as the protagonist navigates the complexities of war. The narrative delves into the personal struggles of the soldiers, highlighting their fears, doubts, and motivations. The author's vivid descriptions bring to life the chaos and brutality of the battlefield. Through the eyes of the protagonist, the reader experiences the intensity of the battle and its aftermath. The novel raises questions about the nature of heroism and the true cost of victory.
By Bernard Capes · First published 1904 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War, Biography · 2,500 words
First lines
Colonel Manton put up his rod and demanded to be set ashore. It had been his first experience of coarse fishing on the river, and it had not proved to his taste. It was not that the perch had been distant or the chub unapproachable. On the contrary, the place having been ground-baited overnight, the sport had been excellent. It was the worms and one other thing which decided him. He had been present at Talavera, at Ciudad Rodrigo, at Badajos, at Vittoria, at Quatre Bras, at Waterloo; he had seen as much carnage as most men, but this bloodless impaling of lob-worms on hooks, and then casting them, so transfixed, to lie writhing on the river bottom for an indefinite period at the end of a ledger-line, offended his sense of fitness. It was not, it seemed to him, playing the game. The worms had no chance, and they could not bite back.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hero of Waterloo is listed on Textopian as a short story by Bernard Capes, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Bernard Capes
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, War, Biography, Adventure, Drama
- Length: 2,500 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hero of Waterloo by Bernard Capes
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Hero of Waterloo?
- How does this short story by Bernard Capes fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The title and series suggest a focus on significant historical events, in this case, the Battle of Waterloo, indicating a historical fiction genre.
- War — The Battle of Waterloo is a renowned war event, therefore placing the book in the war genre.
- Biography — Considering the book title focuses on a hero, it could potentially detail an individual's life and accomplishments, fitting the biography genre.
- Adventure — Historical events, such as wars, usually involve elements of adventure and courage, justifying this genre.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Napoleonic Wars · Waterloo Battle · Military History · British Army · French Army · European History · 19th Century Literature · Adventure Novel · Romance · Soldiers · Warfare