A Wild Strawberry by Henry Van Dyke
The story revolves around a young woman who inherits a small estate from her uncle and discovers a wild strawberry patch on the property. She decides to cultivate it, but faces opposition from the local community due to its location near a cemetery. The narrative explores themes of isolation, community, and the power of nature to bring people together.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1902 · Genre: Nature Writing, Philosophical Fiction, Essay · 5,233 words
First lines
"Such is the story of the Boblink; once spiritual, musical, admired, the joy of the meadows, and the favourite bird of spring; finally a gross little sensualist who expiates his sensuality in the larder. His story contains a moral, worthy the attention of all little birds and little boys; warning them to keep to those refined and intellectual pursuits which raised him to so high a pitch of popularity during the early part of his career; but to eschew all tendency to that gross and dissipated indulgence, which brought this mistaken little bird to an untimely end. " -- WASHINGTON IRVING: Wolfert's Roost.
What this Textopian page supports
A Wild Strawberry is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Philosophical Fiction, Essay, Pastoral, Literary Fiction
- Length: 5,233 words
- Structure: 1 section, 45 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Wild Strawberry 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Wild Strawberry?
- How does this short story by Henry Van Dyke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Nature Writing first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Nature Writing — The text is rich with descriptions of natural landscapes, flora, and fauna, emphasizing the beauty and intricacies of the natural world.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores philosophical themes such as the appreciation of nature, the simplicity of life, and the contrast between cultivated and wild environments.
- Essay — The work is structured as a reflective essay, with personal observations and musings on various topics related to nature and human experience.
- Pastoral — The text idealizes rural life and nature, presenting a serene and idyllic view of the countryside.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Short Story Collection · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Realism · Symbolism · Nature Imagery · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Social Commentary · Morality Tale