Fear by Edith Nesbit (1910)
The poem explores the speaker's intense emotional response to a person's presence, which evokes feelings of overwhelming fear and anxiety. The speaker believes that if they were in close proximity, their hopes, dreams, and ambitions would be destroyed, replaced by memories of unattainable ecstasies. The poem conveys a sense of desperation and longing, as the speaker implores the other person to remain at a distance, fearing the devastating consequences of their presence.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1910 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 85 words
First lines
IF you were here, Hopes, dreams, ambitions, faith would disappear, Drowned in your eyes; and I should touch your hand, Forgetting all that now I understand.
For you confuse my life with memories Of unrememberable ecstasies Which were, and are not, and can never be; . . .
Ah! keep the whole earth between you and me.
What this Textopian page supports
Fear is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 85 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Fear by Edith Nesbit
- 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
- What should a reader notice first when entering Fear?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Haunted by Edith Nesbit
- In Absence by Edith Nesbit
- A Dirge In Gray by Edith Nesbit
- Despair by Edith Nesbit
- Afterward by Edith Wharton
- Portents by Egerton Castle
Genres
- Horror — The narrative is centered around the exploration of fear, suspense, and the supernatural.
- Gothic Fiction — The story employs elements of mystery, dread, and the uncanny, typical of Gothic Fiction.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological states of its characters, particularly their fears and anxieties.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Horror · Supernatural · Fantasy · Classic Literature · British Literature · Children's Literature · Young Adult · Mystery · Suspense · Thriller · Paranormal