The Child Who Loved a Grave

Name: The Child Who Loved a Grave
Author: Fitz-James O'Brien

Fitz-James O’Brien’s short story “The Child Who Loved a Grave” tells the story of a young girl named Mary who has a strange fascination with death and the graveyard. She visits the graveyard every day, and soon develops a relationship with a particular grave, which she visits more often than the others. One day, Mary meets a mysterious old man who tells her the story of the grave she loves so much. It turns out that the grave belongs to a young girl who died tragically at a young age. Mary is moved by the story and begins to visit the grave even more often. One day, Mary is surprised to find a bouquet of flowers on the grave. She soon discovers that the old man has been leaving them there for her. Mary is touched by the gesture and begins to visit the grave even more often. The old man eventually reveals to Mary that he is the father of the girl whose grave she loves so much. He tells her that he visits the grave every day to remember his daughter and to thank Mary for her kindness. The story ends with Mary and the old man visiting the grave together, and Mary understanding the importance of death and the power of remembrance.

By Fitz-James O'Brien · First published 1859 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Romanticism · 1,665 words

First lines

Far away in the deep heart of a lonely country there was an old solitary churchyard. People were no longer buried there, for it had fulfilled its mission long, long ago, and its rank grass now fed a few vagrant goats that clambered over its ruined wall and roamed through the sad wilderness of graves. It was bordered all round with willows and gloomy cypresses; and the rusty iron gate, seldom if ever opened, shrieked when the wind stirred it on its hinges as if some lost soul, condemned to wander in that desolate place forever, was shaking its bars and wailing at the terrible imprisonment.

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The Child Who Loved a Grave is listed on Textopian as a short story by Fitz-James O'Brien, dated 1859 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Fitz-James O'Brien
Date: 1859 CE
Language: English
Genres: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Romanticism, Mystery
Length: 1,665 words
Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Gothic Fiction — The Child Who Loved a Grave is a short story by Fitz-James O'Brien, which follows a young girl's obsession with a graveyard and her interactions with the supernatural. This story is a classic example of Gothic fiction, which often features supernatural elements, dark settings, and a focus on the macabre.
Horror — The Child Who Loved a Grave is a horror story, as it features a young girl's interactions with the supernatural and her descent into madness. The story is full of suspense and dread, making it a perfect example of horror fiction.
Romanticism — The Child Who Loved a Grave is a romantic story, as it features a young girl's obsession with a graveyard and her interactions with the supernatural. The story is full of emotion and a sense of longing, making it a perfect example of romantic fiction.
Mystery — The Child Who Loved a Grave is a mystery story, as it follows a young girl's obsession with a graveyard and her interactions with the supernatural. The story is full of suspense and intrigue, making it a perfect example of mystery fiction.