The Story of the St. Joseph's Ass
The Story of the St. Joseph's Ass is a short story by Giovanni Verga about a poor man named Nanni who owns an ass that he uses to transport goods for his living. One day, while transporting a load of hay, the ass falls ill and dies on the road. Nanni is devastated and blames himself for not taking better care of the animal. He decides to bury the ass in a nearby field, but when he returns home, he finds that his wife has sold all their possessions to pay off debts. The story ends with Nanni reflecting on how his life has been ruined by the loss of his beloved ass.
By Giovanni Verga · First published 1870 · Genre: Realism, Social Commentary, Tragedy · 5,848 words
First lines
They had bought it at the Fair of Buccheri when it was still a young colt, and if it caught sight of a she ass, it would run to it and try to nurse; for this reason, it had got blows and kicks on its rump, and it was all in vain for them to shout "_arricca_" -- get up -- to it.
_Compare_ Neli, when he saw how lively and obstinate it was, and how it licked its nostrils when the blows fell, and how it kept wagging its ears, said, --
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of the St. Joseph's Ass is listed on Textopian as a short story by Giovanni Verga, dated 1870 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Giovanni Verga
- Date: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Social Commentary, Tragedy, Satire, Fable
- Length: 5,848 words
- Structure: 1 section, 111 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Story of the St. Joseph's Ass?
- How does this short story by Giovanni Verga fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Cot And The Rill The Mistress Of The House by Frank R. Stockton
- Why Frau Frohmann Raised Her Prices by Anthony Trollope
Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on the everyday life and struggles of common people, depicting their economic hardships and social conditions with a realistic approach.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms and economic disparities, highlighting the plight of the lower class and their interactions with the market economy.
- Tragedy — The tale unfolds with a sense of inevitable decline and misfortune, as the characters face insurmountable challenges and the ass's fate mirrors their struggles.
- Satire — The narrative employs irony and humor to critique human folly and societal attitudes, particularly in the context of commerce and value.
Tags
Italian literature · short stories · realism · 19th century · rural life · social commentary · humor · animal characters · folklore · cultural identity · family dynamics · poverty