The Worm by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
The Worm is a novel by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, published in 1926. It tells the story of a young girl, Mary, who lives in a small Kentucky town in the early 1900s. Mary is an orphan, and she is taken in by her aunt and uncle, who live on a farm. Mary is a dreamer, and she loves to explore the woods and fields around her home. One day, Mary discovers a mysterious worm in the woods. She is fascinated by it, and she begins to study it and learn about its habits. As she does, she discovers that the worm is actually a magical creature, capable of granting wishes. Mary soon finds herself in a world of adventure and danger as she uses the worm's power to help her family and friends. Along the way, she learns valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, and the power of believing in yourself.
By Elizabeth Madox Roberts · First published 1922 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Realism, Fiction · 201 words
First lines
Dickie found a broken spade And said he'd dig himself a well; And then Charles took a piece of tin, And I was digging with a shell.
Then Will said he would dig one too. We shaped them out and made them wide, And I dug up a piece of clod That had a little worm inside.
We watched him pucker up himself And stretch himself to walk away. He tried to go inside the dirt, But Dickie made him wait and stay.
His shining skin was soft and wet. I poked him once to see him squirm. And then Will said, "I wonder if He knows that he's a worm."
What this Textopian page supports
The Worm is listed on Textopian as a short story by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, 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: Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Southern Gothic, Realism, Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 201 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Worm by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- 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 Worm?
- How does this short story by Elizabeth Madox Roberts fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Southern Gothic first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Woodpecker by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Little Bush by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Among The Rushes by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
Genres
- Southern Gothic — The Worm is set in rural Kentucky in the early 20th century and features a protagonist who is struggling with the harsh realities of life in a small town. This is a classic example of Southern Gothic literature, which often focuses on the dark and oppressive aspects of life in the American South.
- Realism — The Worm is a realistic portrayal of life in a small town in the early 20th century. The characters and their struggles are portrayed in a realistic and believable manner, making this a work of realism.
- Fiction — The Worm is a work of fiction, as it is a story that is made up and not based on real events or people.
- Literary Fiction — The Worm is a work of literary fiction, as it is a story that is written in a sophisticated and thoughtful manner, with an emphasis on character development and symbolism.
Tags
American · American poetry · Children's poetry · answer · awhile · bit · charles · children's poetry, american · clod · dickie · dig · digging