The Porcupine by Hilaire Belloc
This satirical novel tells the story of a young man who becomes disillusioned with modern society and decides to live off the land like his ancestors. He adopts the persona of a porcupine, growing quills on his body and adopting a solitary lifestyle in the wilderness. The narrative is a commentary on the excesses of modern civilization and the importance of living simply and authentically.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor · 148 words
First lines
What! would you slap the Porcupine?
Unhappy child -- desist!
Alas! that any friend of mine Should turn Tupto-philist.[B]
To strike the meanest and the least Of creatures is a sin, How much more bad to beat a beast With prickles on its skin.
What this Textopian page supports
The Porcupine is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor, Fable
- Length: 148 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Porcupine by Hilaire Belloc
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Porcupine?
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Similar titles
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- Angels Toys by Oliver Herford
- The Camel by Hilaire Belloc
- Crumbs by Oliver Herford
- The Learned Fish by Hilaire Belloc
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The playful tone and moral lesson are typical of literature aimed at children.
- Humor — The use of whimsical language and invented terms suggests a humorous intent.
- Fable — The narrative imparts a moral lesson through the depiction of animals, akin to a fable.
Tags
Fable · Satire · Poetry · Children's Literature · Animal Story · Morality Tale · Social Commentary · Humor · Wordplay · Rhyme · Verse · Nonsense Verse