Between the Lupin and the Laurel
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his ancestral home after many years abroad. He finds himself at odds with the strict social norms of his family and community, particularly in regards to marriage and relationships. As he navigates these expectations, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the societal pressures that govern his life. The narrative explores themes of identity, morality, and the tension between tradition and personal desire. Ultimately, the protagonist must choose between conforming to the expectations of those around him or forging his own path in life.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1903 · Genre: Nature Writing, Travelogue, Pastoral · 9,781 words
First lines
No other time of the year, on our northern Atlantic seaboard, is so alluring, so delicate and subtle in its charm, as that which follows the fading of the bright blue lupins in the meadows and along the banks of the open streams, and precedes the rosy flush of myriad laurels in full bloom on the half-wooded hillsides, and in the forest glades, and under the lofty shadow of the groves of yellow pine. Then, for a little while, the spring delays to bourgeon into summer: the woodland maid lingers at the garden gate of womanhood, reluctant to enter and leave behind the wild sweetness of freedom and uncertainty.
What this Textopian page supports
Between the Lupin and the Laurel is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Travelogue, Pastoral, Philosophical, Adventure
- Length: 9,781 words
- Structure: 1 section, 60 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Between the Lupin and the Laurel by Henry Van Dyke
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Nature Writing — The text vividly describes the natural landscapes, flora, and fauna, emphasizing the beauty and enchantment of the natural world.
- Travelogue — The narrative follows a journey through various landscapes, detailing the experiences and observations of the travelers.
- Pastoral — The work idealizes rural life and nature, contrasting it with the monotony and constraints of urban and academic life.
- Philosophical — The text reflects on themes of freedom, the passage of time, and the search for meaning beyond routine existence.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Philosophical Fiction · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Moral Ambiguity · Social Commentary