On High Places by Hilaire Belloc
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his childhood home after many years away. He reflects on the past and grapples with the complexities of human relationships, particularly those between men and women. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1924 · Genre: Travel, Philosophy, History · 2,214 words
First lines
All over the world every kind of man has had for the high places of his country, or for the high places that he has seen in travel (though these last have made upon him a lesser impression), a sentiment closely allied to religion and difficult to fit in with common words. It is upon such sites that sacrifice upon special occasion has been offered. It is here that you will find rare, unvisited, but very holy shrines to-day, and even in its last and most degraded form the men of our modern societies, who are atrophied in such things, spur themselves to a special emotion by distant voyages in which they can satisfy this adoration of a summit over a plain. It is not capable of analysis; but how marvellously it fills the mind.
What this Textopian page supports
On High Places is listed on Textopian as an essay by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1924 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: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Travel, Philosophy, History, Religion, Architecture
- Length: 2,214 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for On High Places by Hilaire Belloc
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering On High Places?
- How does this essay by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Travel first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Travel — The text explores various high places across Europe, describing their significance and the emotions they evoke.
- Philosophy — The narrative delves into the philosophical and spiritual significance of high places, reflecting on human emotions and needs.
- History — Historical references are made to various locations and their cultural or religious importance throughout history.
- Religion — The text discusses religious practices and the spiritual connection people have with high places.
Tags
Poetry · Spirituality · Philosophy · Meditation · Nature · Solitude · Existentialism · Faith · Doubt · Hope · Despair · Human Condition