The Dream by Hilaire Belloc (1907)
This work is a collection of short stories that explore the human condition through fantastical and often humorous tales. The narrative voice is detached and ironic, offering commentary on societal norms and conventions. The stories frequently feature ordinary people in extraordinary situations, highlighting the absurdities and contradictions of life.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1907 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Dream Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 1,702 words
First lines
The experience I am about to set down was perhaps the result, and at any rate it was the sequel, of a conversation engaged between three men in London in the year 1903.
Of these three men one was returned but recently from South Africa, where he had seen all too much of the war; another was a kindly, wealthy, sober sort of man, young, virtuous, and full of inquiry; the third was a hack.
What this Textopian page supports
The Dream is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1907 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: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Dream Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Allegory, Literary Fiction
- Length: 1,702 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Dream 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 The Dream?
- How does this short story by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Unpasturable Fields by Lord Dunsany
- The Raft Builders by Lord Dunsany
- The Assignation by Lord Dunsany
- The Dream by Lord Byron
- The Tomb Of Pan by Lord Dunsany
- The Messengers by Lord Dunsany
Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores deep themes such as destiny, the nature of man, and existential questions, which are central to philosophical fiction.
- Dream Fiction — The story revolves around a vivid and symbolic dream, making it a key example of dream fiction.
- Psychological Fiction — The focus on the internal experiences and psychological states of the characters aligns with psychological fiction.
- Allegory — The dream sequence serves as an allegory for life, death, and the unknown, characteristic of allegorical works.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Fantasy · Adventure · Romance · Mystery · Philosophy · Psychology · Dreams · Symbolism · Allegory · Mythology