The Greenwood Tree by Grant Allen
The Greenwood Tree is a novel by Grant Allen that tells the story of two young lovers who are separated by class and social status. The book explores themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice in Victorian England.
By Grant Allen · First published 1897 · Genre: Science Fiction, Satire, Educational · 5,420 words
First lines
It is a common, not to say a vulgar error, to believe that trees and plants grow out of the ground. And of course, having thus begun by calling it bad names, I will not for a moment insult the intelligence of my readers by supposing them to share so foolish a delusion. I beg to state from the outset that I write this article entirely for the benefit of Other People. You and I, O proverbially Candid and Intelligent One, it need hardly be said, are better informed. But Other People fall into such ridiculous blunders that it is just as well to put them on their guard beforehand against the insidious advance of false opinions. I have known otherwise good and estimable men, indeed, who for lack of sound early teaching on this point went to their graves with a confirmed belief in the terrestrial origin of all earthly vegetation. They were probably victims of what the Church in its succinct way describes and denounces as Invincible Ignorance.
What this Textopian page supports
The Greenwood Tree is listed on Textopian as a novel 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: Novel
- Author: Grant Allen
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Satire, Educational, Philosophical, Nature Writing
- Length: 5,420 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Greenwood Tree by Grant Allen
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores speculative scientific concepts about plant growth and atmospheric interactions, characteristic of science fiction.
- Satire — The text employs humor and irony to critique common misconceptions about plant biology, a hallmark of satirical writing.
- Educational — The work provides detailed explanations of plant physiology and ecological interactions, aligning with educational literature.
- Philosophical — The narrative delves into existential themes about life cycles and the interconnectedness of nature, typical of philosophical discourse.
Tags
nature · rural · love · coming of age · friendship · adventure · self-discovery · family · community · tradition · conflict · growth