A Plea for the Precious
A Plea for the Precious is a book written by Gelett Burgess that explores the concept of preciousness in life and how it can be achieved through various means. The author argues that true happiness comes from finding joy in small things, rather than seeking out grand experiences or material possessions. He encourages readers to appreciate the simple pleasures of life and to cultivate a sense of gratitude for what they already have. Overall, A Plea for the Precious is a thought-provoking read that challenges readers to reconsider their priorities and values in life.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1894 · Genre: Satire, Essay, Literary Criticism · 1,754 words
First lines
Now if a youth as mad-headed as I, without bookishness or literary education of any sort, with neither much of anything to say, nor much desire to say anything -- if such a charlatan would have his wares bought and his words read, he must be antic beyond his contemporains (a shorter word than the English equivalent, whereby I go forward one step in brevity and back two in translation). He must pique curiosity and tempt the reader on; he must pay a contango, which is, by the same token, a premium paid for the privilege of deferring interest. He must in short, be "precious," a quality essentially self-conscious. This has been at times a popular pose in Letters, and when successful it is a sufficiently amusing one, as poses go; but I name no names for the sake of the others who fall between the stools of purpose and pretence -- who tie, as one might say, two one-legged beggars together and think they have made a whole man.
What this Textopian page supports
A Plea for the Precious is listed on Textopian as a poem by Gelett Burgess, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Essay, Literary Criticism, Philosophical Fiction, Experimental Literature
- Length: 1,754 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Plea for the Precious by Gelett Burgess
- 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 A Plea for the Precious?
- How does this poem by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Music Box Recital by Gelett Burgess
- Mr Philosopher by Robert Graves
- The Little Birds Who Wont Sing by G. K. Chesterton
- The Toy Theatre by G. K. Chesterton
- The Boredom Of Butterflies by G. K. Chesterton
- The Yellow Paint by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genres
- Satire — The text employs humor, irony, and exaggeration to critique literary conventions and societal norms.
- Essay — The work is structured as a reflective and argumentative piece, exploring themes of literary style and expression.
- Literary Criticism — The text analyzes and critiques literary styles and the concept of 'preciousness' in writing.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative delves into philosophical musings on the nature of language and expression.
Tags
poetry · humor · satire · whimsy · imagination · childhood · nature · art · creativity · language · playfulness · philosophy