On a Prophet by Hilaire Belloc
The story revolves around a young man who becomes disillusioned with the world and decides to become a prophet. He sets out on a journey to find his place in society, but ultimately realizes that he has no message to share and that his prophecies are meaningless. The narrative explores themes of identity, purpose, and the search for meaning in life.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1925 · Genre: Satire, Fiction, Social Commentary · 1,932 words
First lines
Years ago in the county of Kent a gentleman of means, culture and lineage begged me to make the acquaintance of a certain neighbour of his who dwelt in a little cottage called (by the wrath of God) "The Hollies" -- and, indeed, a holly-tree of no small size, but one only, grew beside his door. This cottage was cubical in formation with the exception of the roof, which was a pyramid, and it was built of brick with the exception of the roof, which was of slate. Its name, "The Hollies," was painted outside upon the gate. This is all I have to say about the cottage.
What this Textopian page supports
On a Prophet is listed on Textopian as a novel by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1925 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Fiction, Social Commentary, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 1,932 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for On a Prophet 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 On a Prophet?
- How does this novel by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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- The Autobiography Of Mark Twain by Mark Twain
Genres
- Satire — The narrative employs humor and irony to critique the nature of prophecy and societal tendencies to believe in predictions.
- Fiction — The story is a fictional account of a prophet and his interactions, focusing on imaginative elements rather than factual events.
- Social Commentary — The text reflects on societal behaviors and attitudes towards prophecy and belief systems, offering insights into human nature.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, the narrative references real historical events and periods, blending them with fictional elements.
Tags
Biography · Autobiographical · Memoir · Prophetic · Spiritual · Philosophical · Historical · Cultural · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Irony