The White Bees by Henry Van Dyke
This novel explores the lives of a group of people living on a remote island where they have created a utopian society based on Christian principles. The community is led by a wise and compassionate leader who guides them in their pursuit of spiritual growth and self-improvement. As the story unfolds, tensions arise within the community as some members begin to question the strict rules and regulations that govern their lives.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1907 · Genre: Poetry, Mythology, Pastoral · 1,976 words
Editions
First lines
I. LEGEND
Long ago Apollo called to Aristaeus, youngest / of the shepherds, / Saying, "I will make you keeper of my bees. " / Golden were the hives, and golden was the honey; / golden, too, the music, / Where the honey-makers hummed among the trees.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery, characteristic of poetic form.
- Mythology — The narrative draws on mythological figures and themes, such as Apollo and Aristaeus, integrating elements of ancient myths.
- Pastoral — The text features themes of nature, rural life, and the idyllic existence of shepherds, typical of pastoral literature.
- Allegory — The story uses symbolic figures and actions to convey deeper meanings about life, loss, and renewal.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Short Stories · American Literature · 19th Century · Realism · Symbolism · Nature · Environment · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Allegory
What this Textopian page supports
The White Bees is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1907 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: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Mythology, Pastoral, Allegory, Fantasy
- Length: 1,976 words
- Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The White Bees 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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