A Little Conversation in Carthage
The story revolves around a young man who visits his friend in Carthage and engages in conversation with him about various topics including philosophy, politics, and literature. The conversation is portrayed as being somewhat superficial and lacking depth, reflecting the societal values of the time.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1908 · Genre: Drama, Historical Fiction, Satire · 1,603 words
First lines
HANNO: Waiter! Get me a copy of _The Times_. [_Mutters to himself. The waiter brings the copy of_ The Times. _As he gives it to Hanno he collides with another member of the Club, and that member, already advanced in years, treads upon Hanno's foot._]
HANNO: Ah! Ah! Ah! . Oh! [_with a grunt_]. Bethaal, it's you, is it?
What this Textopian page supports
A Little Conversation in Carthage is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Historical Fiction, Satire, Political Fiction, Comedy
- Length: 1,603 words
- Structure: 1 section, 35 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Little Conversation in Carthage by Hilaire Belloc
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Little Conversation in Carthage?
- How does this short story by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Drama — The text is structured as a dialogue between characters, focusing on their interactions and conversations.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and references to historical figures and events, such as Hannibal and Carthage, suggest a historical context.
- Satire — The dialogue contains elements of wit and critique, particularly in the portrayal of political discussions and character interactions.
- Political Fiction — The conversation revolves around political themes, including governance, military strategy, and financial concerns.
Tags
Satirical · Historical Fiction · Philosophical · Comedic · Social Commentary · Literary Satire · 19th Century Literature · French Influence · Classical Setting · Ancient History · Cultural Critique · Intellectual Humor