Henry King by Hilaire Belloc (1906)
The story revolves around a man who dies and is taken to the afterlife. He meets various people there, including a woman who claims to be his wife. However, he soon realizes that she is actually a stranger. The narrative explores themes of identity, morality, and the nature of reality.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1906 · Genre: Children's Literature, Dark Comedy, Cautionary Tale · 173 words
First lines
_Who chewed bits of String, and was early cut off in Dreadful Agonies._
The Chief Defect of Henry King Was chewing little bits of String.
At last he swallowed some which tied Itself in ugly Knots inside.
Physicians of the Utmost Fame Were called at once; but when they came They answered, as they took their Fees, "There is no Cure for this Disease.
What this Textopian page supports
Henry King is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Dark Comedy, Cautionary Tale, Poetry, Satire
- Length: 173 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Henry King by Hilaire Belloc
- 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 Henry King?
- How does this poem by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The poem is written in a simple, rhyming style typical of children's literature, with a moral lesson aimed at young readers.
- Dark Comedy — The poem uses humor in a dark context, dealing with the morbid subject of a child's death in a lighthearted manner.
- Cautionary Tale — The narrative serves as a warning against the dangers of chewing string, a common theme in cautionary tales.
- Poetry — The work is structured as a poem, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its story.
Tags
Biographical Fiction · Historical Fiction · Novel · Autobiographical Elements · Coming-of-Age Story · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Literary Fiction · English Literature · 19th Century Setting · Family Dynamics