The Escape by G.K. Chesterton (1926)
The Escape by G.K. Chesterton is a short story about a man named Basil Grant who escapes from prison and becomes a successful businessman under an assumed name. The story explores themes of identity, morality, and the nature of justice.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1926 · Genre: Poetry, Political Satire, Social Commentary · 350 words
First lines
We watched you building, stone by stone, The well-washed cells and well-washed graves We shall inhabit but not own When Britons ever shall be slaves; The water's waiting in the trough, The tame oats sown are portioned free, There is Enough, and just Enough, And all is ready now but we.
But you have not caught us yet, my lords, You have us still to get. A sorry army you'd have got, Its flags are rags that float and rot, Its drums are empty pan and pot, Its baggage is -- an empty cot; But you have not caught us yet.
What this Textopian page supports
The Escape is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1926 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: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Political Satire, Social Commentary, Allegory
- Length: 350 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Escape by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Escape?
- How does this short story by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Nameless Man by G. K. Chesterton
- The Dead Hero by G. K. Chesterton
- A Criminal Head by G. K. Chesterton
- The Mirror Of The Magistrate by G. K. Chesterton
- The Battle Of The Tunnel by G. K. Chesterton
- The Man Who Knew Too Much by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Political Satire — The themes critique social and political structures, using irony and wit to highlight issues of power and corruption.
- Social Commentary — The narrative addresses societal issues, focusing on class struggle and the dynamics between the ruling class and the common people.
- Allegory — The text uses symbolic figures and actions to convey deeper moral and political meanings.
Tags
mystery · adventure · detective · suspense · crime · philosophy · human nature · freedom · imprisonment · identity · society · justice