The Untamable Shrew by Grant Allen
The Untamable Shrew is a novel by Grant Allen that tells the story of a young woman named Marjory who defies societal expectations and pursues her own interests. The book explores themes of gender roles, independence, and self-discovery.
By Grant Allen · First published 1894 · Genre: Natural History, Science, Non-Fiction · 1,141 words
First lines
BY the hedgerow in the garden my terrier, Freckle, has just come across two pugnacious shrews, engaged in one of their sanguinary battles. The high belligerent parties are not exactly formidable to outsiders, it is true, being not quite three inches long apiece from snout to haunches, not counting an inch and a half of tail, oddly square in outline, to finish off their appearance. Yet they are savage fighters, for all that, in their intertribal quarrels. When shrew meets shrew, then comes the tug of war. It very seldom happens that they do not join battle, and the victor in the fray usually kills and eats his discomfited rival. So fierce a heart in so small a body is rare, but the shrew knows not what fear means. This particular pair of combatants were so automatically intent on the fortunes of war that Freckle was upon them and investigating their nature with her inquisitive nose before they even woke up to the fact of her presence.
What this Textopian page supports
The Untamable Shrew 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: Natural History, Science, Non-Fiction, Essay, Nature Writing
- Length: 1,141 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Untamable Shrew by Grant Allen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Untamable Shrew?
- How does this short story by Grant Allen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Natural History first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Mrs Brumby by Anthony Trollope
- The Taming Of The Shrew by Charles Lamb
- A Wax And Honey Moon by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Courtship Of Susan Bell by Anthony Trollope
- The Harebell by Grant Allen
- Andrews Plan by Frank R. Stockton
Genres
- Natural History — The text provides detailed observations and descriptions of shrews, their behavior, and their ecological niche.
- Science — The work discusses biological classifications and distinctions between shrews and other small mammals.
- Non-Fiction — The content is factual and informative, focusing on real-world animal behavior and characteristics.
- Essay — The writing style is reflective and analytical, exploring the nature and habits of shrews in a structured manner.
Tags
romance · comedy · drama · literature · feminism · gender roles · social commentary · Victorian era · character development · conflict · relationships · marriage