Donelson. (February, 1862.)
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after being away for several years. He is met with indifference and hostility by the townspeople, who are more concerned with their own lives than with him. As he navigates this unforgiving environment, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the societal norms that have shaped his community. The narrative explores themes of alienation, social isolation, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. Through the protagonist's experiences, the story critiques the notion of a homogeneous community and highlights the tensions between individuality and conformity.
By Herman Melville · First published 1862 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War Literature, Poetry · 4,592 words
First lines
The bitter cup Of that hard countermand Which gave the Envoys up, Still was wormwood in the mouth, And clouds involved the land, When, pelted by sleet in the icy street, About the bulletin-board a band Of eager, anxious people met, And every wakeful heart was set On latest news from West or South. "No seeing here," cries one -- "don't crowd -- " "You tall man, pray you, read aloud."
IMPORTANT. _We learn that General Grant, Marching from Henry overland, And joined by a force up the Cumberland sent (Some thirty thousand the command), On Wednesday a good position won -- Began the siege of Donelson.
What this Textopian page supports
Donelson. (February, 1862.) is listed on Textopian as a historical account by Herman Melville, dated 1862 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Historical account
- Author: Herman Melville
- Date: 1862 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, War Literature, Poetry, Realism, American Literature
- Length: 4,592 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Donelson. (February, 1862.) by Herman Melville
- 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 Donelson. (February, 1862.)?
- How does this historical account by Herman Melville fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The work is set during a specific historical event, the Battle of Fort Donelson, and incorporates real historical figures and military actions.
- War Literature — The narrative focuses on the experiences and events of a military conflict, detailing battles, strategies, and the impact of war on soldiers and civilians.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as rhyme, meter, and imagery to convey its themes and narrative.
- Realism — The work presents a realistic portrayal of the harsh conditions and emotional experiences of war, emphasizing authenticity and detail.
Tags
Historical Fiction · American Civil War · Literary Short Story · Nashville Campaign · Battle of Fort Donelson · War Literature · Southern Conflict · Union Army · Confederate States · Military History · Tennessee Setting · February 1862