Renunciation by Edith Nesbit (1911)
The poem's speaker describes their beloved as a beautiful and serene entity, comparing them to a desert rose and a May dawn. The speaker acknowledges that they must leave this idyllic presence, relinquishing their claim to the beauty and joy it embodies. They vow not to disturb or alter this perfection, instead choosing to depart and journey to a place devoid of happiness and light.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1911 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure · 163 words
First lines
ROSE of the desert of my heart, Moon of the night that is my soul, Thou can'st not know how sweet thou art, Nor what wild tides thy beams control.
For all thy heart a garden is, Thy soul is like a dawn of May.
And garden and dawn might both be his, Who from them both must turn away.
Oh, garden of the Spring's delight! Oh, dewy dawn of perfect noon! I will not pluck thy roses white Or warm thy May-time into June.
What this Textopian page supports
Renunciation is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 163 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Renunciation 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 Renunciation?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Surrender by Edith Nesbit
- Via Amoris by Edith Nesbit
- Prelude by Edith Nesbit
- A Parting by Edith Nesbit
- The Manchester Marriage by Elizabeth Gaskell
- The Quarrel by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves magical elements and supernatural events.
- Children's Literature — The story is primarily aimed at young readers.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and a series of exciting events.
- Romance — The narrative includes elements of love and relationships.
Tags
Victorian Era · Family Drama · Social Class · Marriage · Infidelity · Adultery · Scandal · Guilt · Shame · Redemption · Personal Growth · Self-Discovery