An Astonished Porcupine
The narrative revolves around a porcupine's encounter with a group of children who are fascinated by its unique appearance and defensive mechanisms. The story explores the themes of curiosity, wonder, and the complexities of human-animal relationships. Through the porcupine's experiences, the text delves into the idea that even the most seemingly intimidating creatures can possess a certain charm and vulnerability.
By John Burroughs · First published 1867 · Genre: Nature Writing, Essay, Non-Fiction · 1,098 words
First lines
One summer, while three young people and I were spending an afternoon upon a mountaintop, our dogs treed a porcupine. At my suggestion the young man climbed the tree -- not a large one -- to shake the animal down. I wished to see what the dogs would do with him, and what the "quill-pig" would do with the dogs. As the climber advanced the rodent went higher, till the limb he clung to was no larger than one's wrist. This the young man seized and shook vigorously. I expected to see the slow, stupid porcupine drop, but he did not. He only tightened his hold. The climber tightened his hold, too, and shook the harder. Still the bundle of quills did not come down, and no amount of shaking could bring it down.
What this Textopian page supports
An Astonished Porcupine is listed on Textopian as an essay by John Burroughs, dated 1867 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: John Burroughs
- Date: 1867 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Essay, Non-Fiction, Adventure, Humor
- Length: 1,098 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Astonished Porcupine by John Burroughs
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- How does this essay by John Burroughs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Nature Writing first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Chimney Swift by John Burroughs
- The Woodchuck by John Burroughs
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- Glimpses Of Wild Life by John Burroughs
Genres
- Nature Writing — The work focuses on the behavior and characteristics of a porcupine, emphasizing observations of wildlife.
- Essay — The narrative presents a reflective and analytical exploration of the porcupine's instincts and defenses.
- Non-Fiction — The content is based on real-life observations and experiences with wildlife.
- Adventure — The setting involves an outdoor adventure with young people and their dogs in a natural environment.
Tags
Nature Writing · American Literature · Essay Collection · Wildlife Observation · Philosophical Reflections · Personal Narrative · Outdoor Adventure · Environmentalism · Conservation · Observational Style · Descriptive Language · Poetic Prose