A Butterfly Episode by Grant Allen
A Butterfly Episode is a novel by Grant Allen that follows the story of two young women who are caught up in a love triangle with a man named Paul. The book explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships.
By Grant Allen · First published 1894 · Genre: Nature Writing, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction · 1,540 words
First lines
HE was an airy, fairy orange-tip. He had just emerged from the chrysalis, and stood poised for a moment, like a hesitating Psyche, on the flat-topped blossoming branches of a big white cow-parsnip. For the most part, he sat there, irresolute, plimming his untried wings, and half opening them tentatively from time to time, as if wondering to himself how the dickens they got there. And well might he wonder; for remember, he was bred a common green caterpillar. Never till this moment did it dawn across his mind that such a motion as flight could exist in the universe. So there he sat still, uncertain what strange change had come over him unawares. Six well-formed legs, in place of the creeping suckers on which he crawled in his youth; and what could these thin vans mean-these light and airy vans, that moved so dubiously on his soft woolly shoulders?
What this Textopian page supports
A Butterfly Episode is listed on Textopian as a short story by Grant Allen, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Grant Allen
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Romance
- Length: 1,540 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Butterfly Episode by Grant Allen
- 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 A Butterfly Episode?
- How does this short story by Grant Allen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Nature Writing first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Butterfly by Dinah Mulock
- The Reversible Landscape by Frank R. Stockton
- The Gnarled Pine Tree by Grant Allen
- Butterflies by Frederic Manning
- Butterflies by Rudyard Kipling
- The Chrysalis Year by Grant Allen
Genres
- Nature Writing — The narrative focuses on the life cycle and behavior of a butterfly, emphasizing detailed observations of nature.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores themes of instinct, transformation, and the nature of beauty, prompting philosophical reflection.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and descriptive, with a focus on the inner thoughts and experiences of the butterfly.
- Science Fiction — The story delves into the scientific aspects of metamorphosis and instinct, though it is more speculative than traditional science fiction.
Tags
nature · butterflies · transformation · metaphor · life cycle · beauty · ephemeral · symbolism · growth · change · environment · science