The Hostile Brothers

Name: The Hostile Brothers
Author: Berthold Auerbach

A tragic tale of two brothers, torn apart by their father's will. One brother inherits the family estate, while the other is left with nothing but debts and disinheritance. The story explores themes of sibling rivalry, betrayal, and the destructive nature of greed.

By Berthold Auerbach · First published 1872 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Family Saga · 3,824 words

First lines

In the little cold alley called the "Knee-Cap" is a little house, with a stable, a shed, and three windows glazed with paper. At the dormer-window a shutter dangles by one hinge, threatening every moment to fall. The patch of garden, small as it is, has a division-line of leafless thorns to cut it into two equal halves. The premises were inhabited by two brothers, who had been in constant warfare for fourteen years. As in the garden, so in the house, all things were partitioned into halves, from the attic down to the kennel of a cellar. The trap-door was open, but underneath the domain of each was enclosed in lattice-work and padlocked. All the other doors were likewise hung with locks, as if an attack of burglars was looked for every moment. The stable was the property of one brother, and the shed of another. Not a word was ever spoken in the house, unless when one of them cursed or swore for his own edification.

What this Textopian page supports

The Hostile Brothers is listed on Textopian as a short story by Berthold Auerbach, dated 1872 CE.

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

Work type: Short story
Author: Berthold Auerbach
Date: 1872 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Family Saga, Literary Fiction
Length: 3,824 words
Structure: 1 section, 43 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for The Hostile Brothers by Berthold Auerbach
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Discussion starters

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How does this short story by Berthold Auerbach fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The book is set in historical time, dealing with social and political events of that era.
Drama — The book revolves around the conflict between two brothers involving family dynamics and interpersonal relationships.
Family Saga — The story centers on a family, particularly the relationship between siblings, its dynamics, and repercussions.
Literary Fiction — The use of style, narrative and social commentary reflect the characteristics of literary fiction.