Faute de Mieux by Edith Nesbit
The story revolves around a romantic encounter between two individuals who escape to the countryside to rekindle their love. The narrative is set amidst a picturesque landscape of green cornfields, red poppies, and chalk downs where sheep graze peacefully. The atmosphere is serene, with the scent of thyme and clover filling the air as the couple seeks solitude and intimacy. They abandon worldly desires and endeavors, surrendering to their emotions and the beauty of nature. The poem-like prose conveys a sense of longing and nostalgia, as the lovers cherish a fleeting moment together, aware that their happiness may be short-lived.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1902 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Pastoral · 289 words
First lines
When the corn is green and the poppies red And the fields are crimson with love-lies-bleeding, When the elms are black deep overhead And the shade lies cool where the calves are feeding, When the blackbird whistles the song of June, When kine knee-deep in the pond are drowsing, Leave pastoral peace -- come up through the noon To the high chalk downs where the sheep are browsing.
What this Textopian page supports
Faute de Mieux is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Pastoral
- Length: 289 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Faute de Mieux by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Faute de Mieux?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse, with a rhythmic structure and rhyme scheme, and uses figurative language and imagery to convey emotions and ideas.
- Romance — The text explores themes of love, longing, and emotional connection, common elements in the romance genre.
- Pastoral — The text depicts rural life and landscapes in an idealized manner, a characteristic of the pastoral genre.
Tags
Family · Children's Literature · Classic · Fantasy · Adventure · Magic · Imagination · Coming of Age · Growing Up · Sibling Relationships · Friendship · Good vs Evil