A Scrap of Paper (the Red Flower and Golden Star
The story revolves around a young girl who finds a scrap of paper with a red flower and golden stars on it. She becomes obsessed with the paper and its meaning, believing it to be a message from her deceased mother. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers a complex web of family secrets and lies that threaten to upend her entire understanding of herself and her place in the world.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1902 · Genre: Historical, Poetry, War · 203 words
First lines
"Will you go to war just for a scrap of paper? " -- _Question of the German Chancellor to the British Ambassador_, _August 5_, 1914.
A mocking question! Britain's answer came Swift as the light and searching as the flame.
"Yes, for a scrap of paper we will fight Till our last breath, and God defend the right!
"A scrap of paper where a name is set Is strong as duty's pledge and honor's debt.
What this Textopian page supports
A Scrap of Paper (the Red Flower and Golden Stars) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical, Poetry, War, Political, Philosophical
- Length: 203 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Scrap of Paper (the Red Flower and Golden Stars) by Henry Van Dyke
- 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 Scrap of Paper (the Red Flower and Golden Stars)?
- How does this poem by Henry Van Dyke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Old Flute Music by Henry Van Dyke
- The Countersign Of The Cradle by Henry Van Dyke
- The Man by Helen Hay Whitney
- A Visit From The Cricket by Irving Sidney Dix
- The Ancestral Dwellings Songs For America by Henry Van Dyke
- Easter Road The Red Flower And Golden Stars by Henry Van Dyke
Genres
- Historical — The text references a specific historical event, the German Chancellor's question to the British Ambassador in 1914, and Britain's response, situating it firmly in a historical context.
- Poetry — The writing style is poetic, with structured verses and rhyming lines, characteristic of poetry.
- War — The theme revolves around the concept of war, specifically the justification for going to war over a treaty, reflecting on the moral and ethical implications.
- Political — The content discusses political decisions and international relations, focusing on the diplomatic exchange between Germany and Britain.
Tags
Fiction · Short Story · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Philosophical Fiction · Moral Fiction · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Existentialism · Symbolism · Poetic Prose