The Flower Hospital
The Flower Hospital is a collection of short stories by Gelett Burgess. The book was published in 1907 and contains 24 stories, each featuring a different character who visits the titular hospital to receive treatment for their various ailments. The stories are humorous and satirical, poking fun at the medical profession and society's obsession with health and wellness.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1907 · Genre: Poetry, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 167 words
First lines
I dreamed I found a sunlit room Filled with a delicate perfume, Where, moaning their sweet lives away, A thousand lovely flowers lay.
They drooped, so pale, and wan, and weak, With hardly strength enough to speak, With stems so crushed and leaves so torn It was too dreadful to be borne!
And one white lily raised her head From off her snowy flower bed.
And sighed, "Please tell the children, oh!
What this Textopian page supports
The Flower Hospital is listed on Textopian as a poem by Gelett Burgess, dated 1907 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: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Allegory
- Length: 167 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Flower Hospital by Gelett Burgess
- 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 Flower Hospital?
- How does this poem by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Fantasy — The narrative involves a dreamlike scenario where flowers are personified, speaking and expressing emotions.
- Children's Literature — The themes and language are simple and moralistic, appealing to a younger audience.
- Allegory — The story uses flowers to convey a deeper message about care and respect for nature.
Tags
hospital · flowers · imagination · fantasy · children's literature · whimsy · adventure · nature · healing · friendship · creativity · playfulness