A Moorland Fire by Grant Allen
A Moorland Fire is a novel by Grant Allen that tells the story of a young woman named Effie who falls in love with a man named Ralph. The two are separated when Ralph goes off to fight in the Boer War, and Effie eventually marries another man. Years later, Ralph returns and the two rekindle their romance, but they must face the challenges of their past and present circumstances.
By Grant Allen · First published 1897 · Genre: Naturalism, Environmental Fiction, Drama · 1,127 words
First lines
THE frosts of last winter-that terrible, pitiless winter-killed down two-thirds of the gorse in England; and now that summer has come again, the dry brown branches stand bare and leafless in mute accusation in every moor and common in the country. Only an exceptionally hardy bush here and there puts forth, in a straggling and tentative fashion, a few timid shoots, or struggles ineffectually into feeble bloom on a protected bough or so. The bumble-bees wander about, disconsolate, like the hungry sheep in "Lycidas," and are not fed; thousands and thousands of them have died this spring from so unexpected a failure of their staple food-stuff. Honey and pollen have been quoted for the bees at starvation prices.
What this Textopian page supports
A Moorland Fire is listed on Textopian as a short story by Grant Allen, dated 1897 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: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Naturalism, Environmental Fiction, Drama, Tragedy, Realism
- Length: 1,127 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Moorland Fire by Grant Allen
- 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 Moorland Fire?
- How does this short story by Grant Allen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Naturalism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Crockers Hole by R. D. Blackmore
- Michaels Crag by Grant Allen
- The Keeper Of Cademuir by John Buchan
- The Outgoing Of The Tide by John Buchan
- The White Omen by Gilbert Parker
Genres
- Naturalism — The narrative focuses on the harsh realities of nature, survival, and the impact of environmental conditions on flora and fauna.
- Environmental Fiction — The story centers around the effects of a harsh winter and subsequent fires on the natural landscape, highlighting ecological themes.
- Drama — The depiction of the moorland fire and its consequences on wildlife and the environment creates a dramatic and intense atmosphere.
- Tragedy — The narrative conveys a sense of loss and devastation, particularly through the imagery of animals suffering and the destruction of their habitat.
Tags
mystery · suspense · drama · romance · nature · fire · moorland · adventure · conflict · survival · human emotions · isolation