The Rhinoceros by Hilaire Belloc
A rhinoceros is introduced to a group of people who are discussing the merits of conformity and individuality. The rhinoceros initially appears to be an outsider, but it eventually joins in with the crowd, repeating their phrases and actions without question or thought. As the story progresses, the rhinoceros becomes more and more entrenched in its conformity, even going so far as to attack anyone who dares to think differently. The people around it are initially pleased by its newfound loyalty, but they soon realize that the rhinoceros has lost all sense of individuality and is now a mindless drone. The story serves as a commentary on the dangers of groupthink and the importance of maintaining one's own identity and autonomy in the face of societal pressure.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1909 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor · 39 words
First lines
Rhinoceros, your hide looks all undone, / You do not take my fancy in the least:
You have a horn where other brutes have none:
Rhinoceros, you are an ugly beast.
Similar titles
- How Pleasant To Know Mr Lear by Edward Lear
- The Frog by Hilaire Belloc
- The Birds by Hilaire Belloc
- The Big Baboon by Hilaire Belloc
- Angels Toys by Oliver Herford
- The Broom The Shovel The Poker And The Tongs by Edward Lear
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The playful tone and simple language suggest it is intended for a younger audience.
- Humor — The exaggerated description and whimsical tone contribute to a humorous effect.
- Animal Literature — The subject matter focuses on an animal, specifically a rhinoceros.
Tags
Fable · Satire · Poetry · Children's Literature · Animal Story · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Rhyme Scheme · Verse Form · Nonsense Verse · Wordplay · Language Play
What this Textopian page supports
The Rhinoceros is listed on Textopian as a poem 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: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor, Animal Literature
- Length: 39 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
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- Work identity for The Rhinoceros by Hilaire Belloc
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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