The Fox by John Burroughs (1890)
This work is a collection of essays that explore the natural world and the human experience through the lens of hunting and the fox. The author reflects on the symbolism and cultural significance of the fox in various societies, as well as its role in American folklore. He also discusses his own experiences with hunting and the ethics of killing animals for sport.
By John Burroughs · First published 1890 · Genre: Nature Writing, Non-Fiction, Memoir · 4,947 words
First lines
It has been many a long day since I heard a fox bark, but in my youth among the Catskills I often heard the sound, especially of a still moonlight night in midwinter. Perhaps it was more a cry than a bark, not continuous like the baying of a dog, but uttered at intervals. One feels that the creature is trying to bark, but has not yet learned the trick of it. But it is a wild, weird sound. I would get up any night to hear it again. I used to listen for it when a boy, standing in front of my father's house. Presently I would hear one away up on the shoulder of the mountain, and I imagined I could almost see him sitting there in his furs upon the illuminated surface and looking down in my direction. As I listened, maybe one would answer him from behind the woods in the valley, a fitting sound amid the ghostly winter hills.
What this Textopian page supports
The Fox is listed on Textopian as an essay by John Burroughs, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Non-Fiction, Memoir, Wildlife Observation, Hunting Literature
- Length: 4,947 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fox by John Burroughs
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Fox?
- 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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Genres
- Nature Writing — The work focuses on the observations and experiences related to the fox in its natural habitat, emphasizing the beauty and behavior of wildlife.
- Non-Fiction — The text presents factual accounts and personal reflections on the fox and hunting, grounded in real experiences.
- Memoir — The narrative includes personal anecdotes and memories from the author's youth, reflecting on encounters with the fox.
- Wildlife Observation — The detailed descriptions of the fox's behavior and environment highlight the author's keen observations of wildlife.
Tags
Nature Writing · Essay Collection · American Literature · Wildlife Observation · Outdoor Adventure · Meditative Prose · Philosophical Reflections · Seasonal Themes · Rural Life · Farmland Description · Fox Behavior · Animal Observation