On Bridges by Hilaire Belloc (1906)
The narrative revolves around a young boy who lives with his parents on an island. He becomes fascinated with the concept of bridges and their construction. The story explores themes of curiosity, imagination, and the intersection of reality and fantasy.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1906 · Genre: Essay, Philosophy, Non-fiction · 2,648 words
First lines
Stand on the side of a stream and consider two things: the imbecility of your private nature and the genius of your common kind.
For you cannot cross the stream, you -- Individual you; but Man (from whence you come) has found out an art for crossing it. This art is the building of bridges. And hence man in the general may properly be called Pontifex, or "The Bridge Builder"; and his symbolic summits of office will carry some such title.
What this Textopian page supports
On Bridges is listed on Textopian as an essay 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: Essay
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Essay, Philosophy, Non-fiction, Travel, History
- Length: 2,648 words
- Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for On Bridges by Hilaire Belloc
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- A Riddle by Oliver Herford
- Our Inheritance by Hilaire Belloc
- The Relic by Hilaire Belloc
- The Excursion by Hilaire Belloc
- The Flower Circus by Oliver Herford
- The Little Old Man by Hilaire Belloc
Genres
- Essay — The work is a reflective and discursive piece that explores the symbolic and practical significance of bridges, characteristic of the essay genre.
- Philosophy — The text delves into philosophical themes about human nature, the relationship between man and nature, and the symbolic meaning of bridges.
- Non-fiction — The content is factual and informative, discussing real-world examples and historical references related to bridges.
- Travel — The work includes descriptions of various bridges around the world, akin to travel writing.
Tags
Poetry · Verse · Nonsense Verse · Satire · Social Commentary · Humor · Wordplay · Rhetoric · Literary Device · Metaphor · Simile · Alliteration