Bulldog and Butterfly
The narrative unfolds in a rural setting, focusing on the lives of Bertha Fellowes, her mother, and two suitors: John Thistlewood and Lane Protheroe. Bertha, a young woman of quiet strength and sensitivity, finds herself at the center of a love triangle. Thistlewood, a dogmatic farmer, persistently courts her with a serious demeanor, believing that his steadfastness will eventually win her heart. In contrast, Protheroe, a charming and carefree young man, approaches love with a light-heartedness that intrigues Bertha but also raises her doubts about his sincerity. As the story progresses, Bertha grapples with her feelings for both men. She respects Thistlewood's earnestness but feels no romantic inclination towards him. Protheroe's vivacity captivates her, yet she questions the depth of his affections, fearing they may be fleeting. The tension between her desire for stability and her yearning for passion creates an internal conflict. The dialogue reveals the contrasting personalities of the suitors, with Thistlewood embodying the bulldog's tenacity and Protheroe representing the butterfly's ephemeral charm. Bertha's struggle to choose between them reflects broader themes of love, commitment, and the complexities of human emotion, ultimately leading her to seek clarity about her own heart's desires.
By David Christie Murray · First published 1874 · Genre: Fiction, Adventure, Mystery · 4 chapters · 16,728 words
First lines
Castle Barfield, Heydon Hey, and Beacon Hargate form the three points of a triangle. Barfield is a parish of some pretensions; Heydon Hey is a village; Beacon Hargate is no more than a hamlet. There is not much that is picturesque in Beacon Hargate, or its neighbourhood. The Beacon Hill itself is as little like a hill as it well can be, and acquires what prominence it has by virtue of the extreme flatness of the surrounding country. A tuft of Scotch firs upon its crest is visible from a distance of twenty miles in some directions. A clear but sluggish stream winds among its sedges and water-lilies round the western side of the Beacon Hill, and washes the edge of a garden which belongs to the one survival of the picturesque old times Beacon Hargate has to show.
What this Textopian page supports
Bulldog and Butterfly is listed on Textopian as a novel by David Christie Murray, dated 1874 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: David Christie Murray
- Date: 1874 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller, Drama
- Length: 16,728 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 330 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Fiction — This book tells a story or a narrative, and is therefore classified as fiction.
- Adventure — The main characters experience various adventures and trials.
- Mystery — The plot contains elements of uncertainty, secrets, crimes, and puzzling situations.
- Thriller — There are elements of suspense, danger, and excitement in the story.
Tags
friendship · adventure · animals · loyalty · courage · nature · childhood · imagination · exploration · humor · life lessons · companionship