The Whale by Hilaire Belloc (1922)
The story revolves around a whale that lives in the ocean and its interactions with humans who hunt it for food. The narrative explores themes of survival, exploitation, and the relationship between humans and nature.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1922 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Educational · 101 words
First lines
The Whale that wanders round the Pole Is not a table fish.
You cannot bake or boil him whole Nor serve him in a dish;
But you may cut his blubber up And melt it down for oil.
And so replace the colza bean (A product of the soil).
What this Textopian page supports
The Whale is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1922 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: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Educational
- Length: 101 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Whale 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 Whale?
- How does this poem by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Marmozet by Hilaire Belloc
- The Prodigal Centipede by Oliver Herford
- The Scorpion by Hilaire Belloc
- The Bird Man by Oliver Herford
- The Elephant by Hilaire Belloc
- The Turtle by Oliver Herford
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The tone and content are light-hearted and whimsical, aiming to amuse the reader.
- Educational — The poem provides factual information about whales and their uses, suggesting an educational purpose.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Whale · Marine Life · Adventure · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Satire · English Literature · 19th Century Literature · Children's Literature