St Luke (the Evangelistic Beasts)
The work explores the duality of power and sacrifice through the metaphor of a bull, representing strength and fertility. The bull embodies a primal force, characterized by its physicality and the tumultuous emotions associated with creation and destruction. It reflects on the historical and spiritual significance of the bull, linking it to biblical themes of sacrifice and redemption. The imagery evokes a sense of conflict between the bull's inherent power and its subjugation to a higher moral order, represented by the "Son of Man." The narrative delves into the tension between the bull's instinctual urges and the constraints imposed by society, suggesting a struggle for identity and purpose. The bull's transformation from a fierce warrior to a servant of humanity symbolizes the broader themes of evolution and the redefinition of strength in a changing world. Ultimately, the work presents a call to reclaim primal power, challenging the reader to confront the complexities of existence, sacrifice, and the potential for rebirth through conflict. The bull's roar becomes a metaphor for the awakening of the oppressed, urging a return to a more authentic expression of strength and defiance against societal constraints.
By D.H. Lawrence · First published 1927 · Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Religious · 643 words
First lines
A wall, a bastion, A living forehead with its slow whorl of hair And a bull's large, sombre, glancing eye And glistening, adhesive muzzle With cavernous nostrils where the winds run hot Snorting defiance Or greedily snuffling behind the cows.
Horns The golden horns of power, Power to kill, power to create Such as Moses had, and God, Head-power.
What this Textopian page supports
St Luke (the Evangelistic Beasts) is listed on Textopian as a short story by D.H. Lawrence, dated 1927 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: D.H. Lawrence
- Date: 1927 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Religious, Fantasy, Literary Fiction
- Length: 643 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for St Luke (the Evangelistic Beasts) by D.H. Lawrence
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering St Luke (the Evangelistic Beasts)?
- How does this short story by D.H. Lawrence fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- St Mark The Evangelistic Beasts by D. H. Lawrence
- St Matthew The Evangelistic Beasts by D. H. Lawrence
- St John The Evangelistic Beasts by D. H. Lawrence
- Gods Offspring by Charles Kingsley
- The Gospel According To Jesus Christ by Jose Saramago
- The Transfiguration by Charles Kingsley
Genres
- Fiction — As D.H. Lawrence is known for his fiction work, it is safe to assume that this work continues in that same vein.
- Historical Fiction — The title suggests a story centered on a historical or biblical figure, St Luke, it may therefore be presumed that the book includes elements of historical fiction.
- Religious — Considering St Luke is a figure from religious scripture, the book possibly explores religious themes and motifs.
- Fantasy — The mention of 'beasts' implies the possibility of fantastical elements or symbolic creatures within the narrative.
Tags
evangelism · Christianity · spirituality · symbolism · nature · humanity · philosophy · mythology · narrative · existentialism · religion · morality