The Shaking of the Pear-Tree
The narrative reflects on a nostalgic summer day spent in a grandmother's orchard, centered around the event of shaking a pear tree. The speaker recalls the excitement leading up to this cherished occasion, filled with anticipation and joy. The orchard is depicted as a vibrant, bountiful place, rich with various fruits and the playful activities of children. The arrival at the orchard is marked by the presence of beloved figures, including Grandma and a lazy spaniel named Dash. As the pears fall from the tree, the children revel in the abundance, collecting and consuming the sweet fruit with delight. The atmosphere is lively, filled with laughter and the thrill of the harvest. However, the day also brings a sense of fatigue and the inevitable end of pleasure, as the children grow tired and reflective. The speaker captures the bittersweet nature of memory, blending joy with a hint of melancholy as they recall the simplicity and happiness of childhood. The imagery evokes a sense of warmth and nostalgia, highlighting the fleeting nature of such moments and the enduring impact they leave on one's heart.
By Dinah Mulock · First published 1859 · Genre: Fiction, Drama, Family · 801 words
First lines
OF all days I remember, In summers passed away, Was "the shaking of the pear-tree," In grandma's orchard gay.
A large old-fashioned orchard, With long grass under foot, And blackberry-brambles crawling In many a tangled shoot.
What this Textopian page supports
The Shaking of the Pear-Tree is listed on Textopian as a short story by Dinah Mulock, dated 1859 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Dinah Mulock
- Date: 1859 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Drama, Family, Historical
- Length: 801 words
- Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Shaking of the Pear-Tree by Dinah Mulock
- 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
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Genres
- Fiction — This book tells an imaginary story, thus indicating it belongs to the Fiction genre.
- Drama — The story involves intense character development and conflict, which indicates it falls under the Drama genre.
- Family — The story revolves around familial relationships and dynamics, which leads it to be classified under the Family genre.
- Historical — Given some elements of the story are based on past events or periods, the book can also be classified as Historical fiction.
Tags
nature · growth · change · family · tradition · seasons · harvest · relationships · community · life lessons · symbolism · rural