Green Library
The poem explores the theme of knowledge and its limitations through the metaphor of a green library. The speaker describes the library as a place where books are devoured by insects and decay, suggesting that even the pursuit of knowledge is subject to the forces of nature and impermanence. The color green is used to symbolize growth, decay, and the cyclical nature of life.
By Carlos Drummond de Andrade · First published 1968 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Philosophical Fiction · 490 words
First lines
Daddy, buy me the International Library of Famous Literature, just 24 volumes, bound in green percaline cloth.
Son, that's too much reading for a little boy.
What this Textopian page supports
Green Library is listed on Textopian as a short story by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, dated 1968 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Carlos Drummond de Andrade
- Date: 1968 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Philosophical Fiction, Poetry, Historical Fiction
- Length: 490 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Green Library by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
- 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 Green Library?
- How does this short story by Carlos Drummond de Andrade fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Nausea And The Flower by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Unity by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Looking For What by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Communion by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Nakedness by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Swipe Of The Sword by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
Genres
- Literary Fiction — Explores deep themes of childhood, curiosity, and the transformative power of literature.
- Coming-of-Age — Focuses on the growth and development of a young boy through his interactions with books.
- Philosophical Fiction — Contains reflections on knowledge, existence, and the impact of literature on the human mind.
- Poetry — Utilizes poetic language and imagery to convey the protagonist's experiences and emotions.
Tags
Brazilian Literature · Poetry · Modernism · Experimental Writing · Avant-Garde · Surrealism · Philosophical Themes · Environmental Concerns · Eco-Poetry · Urban Landscape · City Life · Alienation