Sheep-Shearing by John Galsworthy

Name: Sheep-Shearing
Author: John Galsworthy

The novel revolves around the lives of a wealthy family and their relationships with their servants. It explores themes of class, social status, and the exploitation of the working class by the upper class. The story centers on the family's estate, where sheep-shearing takes place, highlighting the contrast between the leisurely lifestyle of the aristocracy and the hard labor of the lower classes.

By John Galsworthy · First published 1927 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Nature Writing · 1,800 words

First lines

From early morning there had been bleating of sheep in the yard, so that one knew the creatures were being sheared, and toward evening I went along to see. Thirty or forty naked-looking ghosts of sheep were penned against the barn, and perhaps a dozen still inhabiting their coats. Into the wool of one of these bulky ewes the farmer's small, yellow-haired daughter was twisting her fist, hustling it toward Fate; though pulled almost off her feet by the frightened, stubborn creature, she never let go, till, with a despairing cough, the ewe had passed over the threshold and was fast in the hands of a shearer. At the far end of the barn, close by the doors, I stood a minute or two before shifting up to watch the shearing. Into that dim, beautiful home of age, with its great rafters and mellow stone archways, the June sunlight shone through loopholes and chinks, in thin glamour, powdering with its very strangeness the dark cathedraled air, where, high up, clung a fog of old grey cobwebs so thick as ever were the stalactites of a huge cave. At this end the scent of sheep and wool and men had not yet routed that home essence of the barn, like the savour of acorns and withering beech leaves.

What this Textopian page supports

Sheep-Shearing is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Galsworthy, 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: John Galsworthy
Date: 1927 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Nature Writing, Philosophical Fiction, Short Story
Length: 1,800 words
Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of nature, civilization, and human emotion through detailed descriptions and introspective narrative.
Realism — The portrayal of rural life, sheep-shearing, and the interactions between characters reflect a realistic depiction of everyday experiences.
Nature Writing — The vivid descriptions of the natural environment and the relationship between humans and animals highlight the beauty and complexity of nature.
Philosophical Fiction — The narrative delves into existential questions and reflections on good and evil, prompting deeper thought about life and nature.