Sea-Shells by Edith Nesbit (1907)
The poem explores the speaker's anxiety about navigating life's challenges and finding courage in the face of adversity. It uses the metaphor of sea-shells to convey the idea that even fragile things can withstand powerful forces, suggesting that the speaker's soul can also overcome obstacles with divine guidance.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1907 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 157 words
First lines
I GATHERED shells upon the sand, Each shell a little perfect thing, So frail, yet potent to withstand The mountain-waves' wild buffeting.
Through storms no ship could dare to brave The little shells float lightly, save All that they might have lost of fine Shape and soft colour crystalline.
Yet I amid the world's wild surge Doubt if my soul can face the strife, The waves of circumstance that urge That slight ship on the rocks of life.
O soul, be brave, for He who saves The frail shell in the giant waves, Will bring thy puny bark to land Safe in the hollow of His hand.
What this Textopian page supports
Sea-Shells is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edith Nesbit, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Poetry
- Length: 157 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Sea-Shells 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 Sea-Shells?
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Similar titles
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- The Wouldbegoods by Edith Nesbit
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- Questions by Edith Nesbit
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is primarily aimed at young readers with its simple language and imaginative themes.
- Fantasy — The book involves elements of the fantastical, including talking sea creatures and magical adventures.
- Adventure — The narrative follows a series of exciting events and quests, characteristic of the adventure genre.
- Poetry — The book contains rhythmic and expressive language, indicative of the poetry genre.
Tags
Children's literature · Fantasy · Adventure · Marine life · Sea creatures · Imagination · Exploration · Discovery · Ocean · Seashells · Beach · Tide pool