The Spirit Of The Herd by Dallas Lore Sharp
The Spirit of the Herd by Dallas Lore Sharp: Plot Summary: The novel follows a group of people who are part of a cult that worships a mysterious figure known only as "The Great One." The cult members believe that they must sacrifice their individuality and personal freedoms in order to be closer to The Great One. The story explores themes of conformity, obedience, and the dangers of blindly following authority.
By Dallas Lore Sharp · First published 1926 · Genre: Animal Fiction, Nature Writing, Adventure · 2 chapters · 3,160 words
First lines
We were trailing the 'riders' of P Ranch across the plains to a hollow in the hills called the 'Troughs,' where they were to round up a lot of cattle for a branding. On the way we fell in behind a bunch of some fifty cows and yearlings which one of the riders had picked up; and, while he dashed off across the desert for a 'stray,' we tenderfeet drove on the herd. It was hot, and the cattle lagged, so we urged them on. All at once I noticed that the whole herd was moving with a swinging, warping gait, with switching tails, and heads thrown round from side to side as if every steer were watching us. We were not near enough to see their eyes, but the rider, far across the desert, saw the movement and came cutting through the sage, shouting and waving his arms to stop us. We had pushed the driving too hard.
What this Textopian page supports
The Spirit Of The Herd is listed on Textopian as a novella by Dallas Lore Sharp, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Dallas Lore Sharp
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Animal Fiction, Nature Writing, Adventure, Drama, Educational
- Length: 3,160 words
- Structure: 2 chapters, 42 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Spirit Of The Herd by Dallas Lore Sharp
- 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
Similar titles
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- Big Animals by Grant Allen
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- Eagle In New Mexico Birds by D. H. Lawrence
- The Red Wolf Animals by D. H. Lawrence
- A Tame Deer by Charles Fletcher Lummis
Genres
- Animal Fiction — The book revolves around the life and behavior of animals, primarily the spirit of the herd, which is a recurring theme, making Animal Fiction the most relevant genre.
- Nature Writing — Detailed descriptions and observation of natural setting and animals, which is quintessential to Nature Writing, are found throughout the book.
- Adventure — The plot features various adventurous escapades through the wild with the herd, making Adventure a relevant genre.
- Drama — Interactions within the herd, and the drama associated makes it eligible for this genre.
Tags
nature · wildlife · herd behavior · animal instincts · survival · ecosystem · biodiversity · migration · social structure · environment · conservation · habitat