The Fancy by Edmund Gosse (1893)
The story revolves around a young boy who grows up in a family of strict Plymouth Brethren and struggles with the constraints imposed on him by his family's religious beliefs. The novel explores themes of individuality, freedom, and the tension between personal desire and familial obligation.
By Edmund Gosse · First published 1893 · Genre: Satire, Poetry, Historical Fiction · 2,344 words
First lines
THE FANCY: _A Selection from the Poetical Remains of the late Peter Corcoran, of Gray's Inn, student at law. With a brief Memoir of his life. London: printed for Taylor & Hessey, Fleet Street_. 1820.
What this Textopian page supports
The Fancy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edmund Gosse, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edmund Gosse
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Poetry, Historical Fiction, Biography
- Length: 2,344 words
- Structure: 1 section, 26 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fancy by Edmund Gosse
- 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 The Fancy?
- How does this short story by Edmund Gosse fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Ionica by Edmund Gosse
- Peter Bell And His Tormentors by Edmund Gosse
- Pharamond by Edmund Gosse
- Father And Son by Edmund Gosse
- A Censor Of Poets by Edmund Gosse
- Robert Dinsmore by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Satire — The work uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize and mock the societal fascination with boxing and pugilism, presenting it in a poetic and romanticized manner that is incongruous with the brutal reality of the sport.
- Poetry — The work is composed of verses and employs poetic devices such as rhythm, rhyme, and imagery. It includes sonnets and other forms of verse.
- Historical Fiction — The work is set in a specific historical period, the early 19th century, and references real historical figures and events, particularly in the world of boxing.
- Biography — The work presents a fictional biography of the character Peter Corcoran, detailing his life, interests, and eventual decline and death.
Tags
Autobiography · Memoir · Victorian Era · Childhood · Family Relationships · Parental Expectations · Religious Upbringing · Plymouth Brethren · Fundamentalism · Restrictive Environment · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery