A Summer Stroll by Grant Allen
"A Summer Stroll" by Grant Allen is a short story about a man who takes a walk in the countryside and reflects on his life. The story explores themes of nature, solitude, and self-reflection.
By Grant Allen · First published 1893 · Genre: Nature Writing, Travelogue, Philosophical Fiction · 1,535 words
First lines
MY friend the Poet and I walk the world together on somewhat different principles. It is a fixed belief of his that illusion is far more beautiful than reality. He likes to see the distant hills through some dim veil of mist; he likes to believe the skylark feeds on dew and sunshine, and he is revolted when I explain to him, in spite of Shelley, the actual staples of its unromantic diet. To him, it seems, everything loses just half its beauty when he knows all about it. Analysis, he says, is destructive of pleasure. Only in an imagined and unrealized world can he find the pure elements that delight his fancy.
What this Textopian page supports
A Summer Stroll is listed on Textopian as a short story by Grant Allen, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Travelogue, Philosophical Fiction, Pastoral, Literary Fiction
- Length: 1,535 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Summer Stroll 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 Summer Stroll?
- 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?
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- Road And Hills by Stephen Vincent Benet
Genres
- Nature Writing — The narrative focuses on detailed descriptions of the natural landscape, flora, and fauna encountered during a walk.
- Travelogue — The text describes a journey through the countryside, highlighting the experiences and observations made along the way.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores philosophical themes such as the nature of reality versus illusion and the beauty of truth.
- Pastoral — The setting and themes reflect a romanticized view of rural life and nature.
Tags
summer · stroll · nature · outdoors · leisure · exploration · scenery · travel · adventure · reflection · serenity · landscape