Simple Folk
Simple Folk is a collection of short stories by Francis Hopkinson Smith that explore the lives and experiences of ordinary people in rural America during the late 19th century. The book includes tales of love, loss, and redemption, as well as vivid descriptions of the natural world and the changing landscape of American society at the time.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1893 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama · 6,214 words
First lines
A long reach of coast country, white and smooth, broken by undulating fences smothered in snowdrifts, only their stakes and bush-tops showing; farther away, horizontal markings of black pines; still farther away, a line of ragged dunes bearded with yellow grass bordering a beach flecked with scurries of foam -- mouthings of a surf twisting as if in pain; beyond this a wide sea, greenish gray, gray and gray-blue, slashed here and there with white-caps pricked by wind rapiers; beyond this again, out into space, a leaden sky flat as paint and as monotonous.
What this Textopian page supports
Simple Folk is listed on Textopian as a short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith, 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: Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance, Social Commentary
- Length: 6,214 words
- Structure: 1 section, 95 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Simple Folk by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- 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 Simple Folk?
- How does this short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Old Sunshine by Francis Hopkinson Smith
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- The Singing Of The Bees by Gilbert Parker
- Family Portraits by Stanley J. Weyman
- Aunt Joanna by Sabine Baring Gould
Genres
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical period with detailed descriptions of the era.
- Literary Fiction — Focuses on character development and stylistic writing.
- Drama — Contains emotional and relational conflicts among characters.
- Romance — Includes romantic relationships as a significant plot element.
Tags
rural · community · family · tradition · life · struggles · relationships · nature · simplicity · humanity · values · resilience