Here and There by Edith Nesbit
The story revolves around a narrator who feels trapped in a hot and weary urban environment, longing for the peace and beauty of the countryside. The narrator's heart yearns for the marsh meadows, where sheep graze and seagulls fly freely between the earth and sky. In contrast, the city is depicted as a place of toiling feet, harsh sounds, and spiritless existence. Despite this, the narrator finds solace in a flower that blooms in the city, symbolizing hope and peace. The narrator acknowledges that true freedom and the fight for the souls of men can only be achieved in the city, not in the idyllic countryside.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1922 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature · 311 words
First lines
Ah me, how hot and weary here in town / The days crawl by! / How otherwise they go my heart records, / Where the marsh meadows lie / And white sheep crop the grass, and seagulls sail / Between the lovely earth and lovely sky.
Here the sun grins along the dusty street / Beneath pale skies: / Hark! spiritless, sad tramp of toiling feet, / Hoarse hawkers, curses, cries -- / Through these I hear the song that the sea sings / To the far meadowlands of Paradise.
What this Textopian page supports
Here and There is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1922 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: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature, Victorian Literature
- Length: 311 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Here and There by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
- The Sums That Came Right by Edith Nesbit
- Accidental Magic Or Dont Tell All You Know by Edith Nesbit
- Hope by Edith Nesbit
- The Adventurer by Edith Nesbit
- Septimus Septimusson by Edith Nesbit
- En Tout Cas by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves magical elements and fantastical settings.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a series of exciting events and challenges.
- Children's Literature — The story is primarily aimed at young readers.
- Victorian Literature — The narrative reflects the social and cultural context of the Victorian era.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fantasy · Adventure · Travel · Imagination · Magic Realism · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Friendship · Family · Relationships · Growing Up