To Sai by Frederic Manning (1930)
Sure thing! To Sai by Frederic Manning is a novel set during World War I that follows the experiences of an Australian soldier named Private Hervey. The book explores themes of war, trauma, and human resilience through its vivid descriptions of battle scenes and the psychological toll they take on soldiers. It has been praised for its realistic portrayal of life in the trenches and its ability to capture the emotional intensity of combat.
By Frederic Manning · First published 1930 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Lyric · 248 words
First lines
You chase the blue butterflies, The shining dew is shaken by your feet, That are white in the young grasses; Swift, you hesitate, poised; And they elude you; fluttering In the windless gold.
Sai is small, But a little child, With little sorrows; Yet her tears shine with laughter, Her face comes and goes between the wet leaves, As a face in sleep Comes and goes between green shadows, As moving lights hide and shine in the marshes.
I shall not look at her, Lest she should hide from mine eyes In the shadow.
I bring her pale honey in a comb, apples Sweet and smelling; and leave them beside me; Then comes she softly.
What this Textopian page supports
To Sai is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frederic Manning, dated 1930 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Frederic Manning
- Date: 1930 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Pastoral, Lyric, Children's Literature
- Length: 248 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To Sai by Frederic Manning
- 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 To Sai?
- How does this short story by Frederic Manning fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Hurleywayne by Frederic Manning
- The Cup by Frederic Manning
- Blue And Gold by Frederic Manning
- The Swallow by Frederic Manning
- Soleil Couchant by Frederic Manning
- No Mans Land by Gilbert Parker
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, with a focus on imagery and rhythm, characteristic of poetry.
- Pastoral — The setting and themes revolve around nature and simplicity, typical of pastoral literature.
- Lyric — The work expresses personal emotions and observations, aligning with the lyric genre.
- Children's Literature — The presence of a child character and simple, gentle themes suggest an appeal to children's literature.
Tags
war · friendship · loss · identity · courage · betrayal · survival · memory · sacrifice · humanity · conflict · loyalty