Work by Edith Nesbit (1912)
The poem explores the theme of domestic work and its repetitive nature. The speaker reflects on their daily chores, wondering when people first started doing them and whether they will ever end. They compare their work to God's creation of the world, noting that while God's work is finished, theirs is never done. Despite this, the speaker takes pride in their work and finds joy in seeing things grow and change. The poem concludes with a humorous wish for a paradise where they can create new things every day, without repetition.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1912 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 486 words
First lines
WHEN I am busying about, Sewing on buttons, tapes, and strings, Hanging the week's wet washing out Or ironing the children's things, Sweeping and dusting, cleaning grates, Scrubbing the dresser or the floors, Washing the greasy dinner plates, Scouring the brasses on the doors --
I wonder what it's all about, And when did people first begin To keep the dirt and wornness out And keep the wholesome comfort in: How long it is since women bore This round of wash and make and mend, And what God makes us do it for And whether it will ever end!
What this Textopian page supports
Work is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1912 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: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure
- Length: 486 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Work 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 Work?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Wouldbegoods by Edith Nesbit
- The Selfish Pussy by Edith Nesbit
- The Astonishing Flight Of The Gump by L. Frank Baum
- The Wonderful Garden by Edith Nesbit
- Sea Shells by Edith Nesbit
- An Interloper by J. M. Barrie
Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is primarily aimed at young readers with its simple language, moral lessons, and imaginative elements.
- Fantasy — The book contains elements of magic and supernatural occurrences, which are typical of the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The plot involves a series of adventures and quests, which is characteristic of the adventure genre.
Tags
Children's literature · Fantasy fiction · Social commentary · Satire · Humor · Adventure · Family relationships · Coming of age · Growing up · Child labor · Exploitation · Poverty