Conquered by a Child
A couple embarks on a voyage along the Pacific coast with their beloved young daughter, who captivates the crew and sailors aboard the ship. Her charm and innocence endear her to everyone, including a group of chained prisoners being transported to Fargo. These men, hardened and resentful, find themselves unexpectedly softened by the child's kindness and innocence, leading them to reconsider their violent ways. As the journey progresses, the ship encounters a disaster when it strikes a submerged rock, causing chaos. In the ensuing turmoil, the child is thrown overboard. One of the prisoners, despite being shackled, pleads with the sheriff not to shoot as he bravely attempts to save her. He manages to grasp her dress with his teeth, keeping her head above water until help arrives. The crew and passengers are relieved when the sheriff allows the prisoner to be freed for the rescue, showcasing a moment of redemption and bravery. The narrative highlights themes of innocence, redemption, and the transformative power of compassion, illustrating how a child's purity can impact even the most hardened individuals.
By James McIntyre · First published 1890 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Poetry · 339 words
First lines
A gent and lady take a trip Along Pacific coast in ship, And with them is little daughter, For she doth enjoy the water.
The little maiden is adored By all the sailors are aboard;
What this Textopian page supports
Conquered by a Child is listed on Textopian as a poem by James McIntyre, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James McIntyre
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Adventure, Poetry, Drama, Fantasy
- Length: 339 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Conquered by a Child by James McIntyre
- 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 Conquered by a Child?
- How does this poem by James McIntyre fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Child Made Happy by James Mcintyre
- To My Toy Canary by Oliver Herford
- Dreamland The Babys Baedeker by Harry Graham
- Spanish Donkey by James Mcintyre
- On Doctor Gardner by James Mcintyre
- The Big Baboon by Hilaire Belloc
Genres
- Children's Literature — The central character is a child who influences adults and resolves conflict, typical of children's literature themes.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey on a ship and a dramatic rescue, characteristic of adventure narratives.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, which aligns it with the poetry genre.
- Drama — The story features conflict and emotional stakes, typical of dramatic narratives.
Tags
Poetry · Children's Literature · Humor · Satire · Dark Comedy · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Canadian Literature · 19th Century Literature · Childhood Innocence · Adult Supervision · Parental Responsibility