Cheese by G.K. Chesterton (1904)
Cheese is a collection of essays by G.K. Chesterton that explore various topics including literature, philosophy, and religion. The book was first published in 1914 and has since become a classic work of literary criticism.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1904 · Genre: Essay, Humor, Cultural Criticism · 1,241 words
First lines
My forthcoming work in five volumes, "The Neglect of Cheese in European Literature" is a work of such unprecedented and laborious detail that it is doubtful if I shall live to finish it. Some overflowings from such a fountain of information may therefore be permitted to springle these pages. I cannot yet wholly explain the neglect to which I refer. Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese. Virgil, if I remember right, refers to it several times, but with too much Roman restraint. He does not let himself go on cheese. The only other poet I can think of just now who seems to have had some sensibility on the point was the nameless author of the nursery rhyme which says: "If all the trees were bread and cheese" -- which is, indeed a rich and gigantic vision of the higher gluttony. If all the trees were bread and cheese there would be considerable deforestation in any part of England where I was living.
What this Textopian page supports
Cheese is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Essay, Humor, Cultural Criticism, Philosophy, Travelogue
- Length: 1,241 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cheese by G.K. Chesterton
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Cheese?
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Essay — The work is a reflective and humorous essay on the cultural and literary neglect of cheese, exploring its significance and symbolism.
- Humor — The writing style is witty and satirical, using humor to critique societal norms and literary traditions.
- Cultural Criticism — The text critiques modern society and civilization, contrasting them with traditional and varied customs.
- Philosophy — The work philosophically examines the nature of civilization and the symbolic meaning of cheese in human culture.
Tags
philosophy · humor · absurdism · satire · food · society · culture · critique · narrative · dialogue · imagination · paradox