The New House by G.K. Chesterton
The New House is a novel by G.K. Chesterton that tells the story of a young man named John Hampden who inherits an old house in the English countryside. As he begins to explore the house and its history, he discovers a series of mysteries and secrets that lead him on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The novel is known for its vivid descriptions of the English landscape and its exploration of themes such as identity, family, and tradition.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1906 · Genre: Essay, Satire, Philosophy · 1,321 words
First lines
Within a stone's throw of my house they are building another house. I am glad they are building it, and I am glad it is within a stone's throw; quite well within it, with a good catapult. Nevertheless, I have not yet cast the first stone at the new house -- not being, strictly speaking, guiltless myself in the matter of new houses. And, indeed, in such cases there is a strong protest to be made. The whole curse of the last century has been what is called the Swing of the Pendulum; that is the idea that Man must go alternately from one extreme to the other. It is a shameful and even shocking fancy; it is the denial of the whole dignity of mankind. When Man is alive he stands still. It is only when he is dead that he swings. But whenever one meets modern thinkers (as one often does) progressing towards a madhouse, one always finds, on inquiry, that they have just had a splendid escape from another madhouse.
What this Textopian page supports
The New House is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Essay, Satire, Philosophy, Social Commentary, Literary Criticism
- Length: 1,321 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The New House by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The New House?
- How does this short story by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Essay — The work is structured as a reflective essay, focusing on social commentary and philosophical musings.
- Satire — The text employs humor and irony to critique societal trends and human behavior.
- Philosophy — The narrative delves into philosophical ideas about human nature and societal development.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques modern urbanization and societal shifts, reflecting on human interactions and community.
Tags
mystery · philosophy · fantasy · imagination · adventure · family · home · identity · society · morality · narrative · exploration