The Letter by Hilaire Belloc (1909)
A young man writes a letter to his friend, detailing the events of his life since their last meeting. He describes his struggles with poverty and his decision to leave home in search of work. The letter reveals his inner turmoil and his desire for independence.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1909 · Genre: Epistolary, Historical Fiction, Romance · 1,866 words
First lines
If you ask me why it is now three weeks since I received your letter and why it is only today that I answer it, I must tell you the truth lest further things I may have to tell you should not be worthy of your dignity or of mine. It was because at first I dared not, then later I reasoned with myself, and so bred delay, and at last took refuge in more delay. I will offer no excuse: I will not tell you that I suffered illness, or that some accident of war had taken me away from this old house, or that I have but just returned from a journey to my hill and my view over the Plain and the great River.
What this Textopian page supports
The Letter is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Epistolary, Historical Fiction, Romance, Philosophical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 1,866 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Letter 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 The Letter?
- How does this short story by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Epistolary first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Milh Or Salt by Hilaire Belloc
- Fond Hearts Askew by Max Beerbohm
- The Actor Manager by Harry Graham
- The Old Things by Hilaire Belloc
- An Arrow At A Venture by H. C. Mcneile
- Diminuendo by Max Beerbohm
Genres
- Epistolary — The narrative is presented in the form of a letter, which is a defining characteristic of the epistolary genre.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and references to historical events and locations suggest a historical context, typical of historical fiction.
- Romance — The themes of love, memory, and personal relationships are central to the narrative, aligning with the romance genre.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores deep themes of time, memory, and the human condition, which are common in philosophical fiction.
Tags
Satirical · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Epistolary · Humor · Wit · Sarcasm · Irony · Class Satire · English Literature · 19th Century Literature · Novel