The Blind Doe by Horacio Quiroga
The story revolves around a blind woman who lives with her husband and their daughter on a remote farm. The family's isolation and poverty are exacerbated by the father's cruelty and abuse of his wife. As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that the mother has become increasingly dependent on her daughter for emotional support and care. The daughter, in turn, is deeply devoted to her mother and feels responsible for protecting her from her father's brutality. The story takes a dark turn when the father's cruelty escalates, leading to a tragic confrontation between him and his family.
By Horacio Quiroga · First published 1927 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Adventure · 3,230 words
First lines
Once upon a time there was a deer -- a doe -- who gave birth to two little deers; and, as is very rare with such animals, the little deers were twins. However, a wildcat ate one of them; and the second, a female, had to live her childhood without a playmate.
She was such a beautiful little creature, nevertheless, that all the mother deers in the forest wished she belonged to them; and to show their affection they were always nipping gently at her ribs with their lips.
Similar titles
- The Alligator War by Horacio Quiroga
- The Night Born by Jack London
- The Parrot That Lost Its Tail by Horacio Quiroga
- The Keeper by Guy De Maupassant
- In The Graveyard by Anton Chekhov
- The Drop Of Water by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fable — The story features anthropomorphic animals and conveys a moral lesson about obedience and the consequences of curiosity.
- Children's Literature — The narrative is simple, with a clear moral, making it suitable for a young audience.
- Adventure — The plot involves the doe's journey and encounters with various dangers in the forest.
- Fantasy — The story includes talking animals and a world where animals interact with humans in a fantastical manner.
Tags
Short Story · Horror Fiction · South American Literature · Magical Realism · Psychological Thriller · Gothic Fiction · Dark Fantasy · Supernatural Elements · Mystery · Suspense · Atmosphere of Dread · Isolation
What this Textopian page supports
The Blind Doe is listed on Textopian as a short story by Horacio Quiroga, dated 1927 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Horacio Quiroga
- Date: 1927 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore
- Length: 3,230 words
- Structure: 1 section, 74 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Blind Doe by Horacio Quiroga
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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