Diplomacy by Lafcadio Hearn (1898)
The work explores the concept of diplomacy through a series of essays that examine various aspects of international relations and cultural exchange. It delves into the complexities of human interaction, highlighting the nuances of communication, perception, and power dynamics in diplomatic settings. The text also touches on the role of language, symbolism, and ritual in shaping relationships between nations and individuals.
By Lafcadio Hearn · First published 1898 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction · 855 words
First lines
It had been ordered that the execution should take place in the garden of the _yashiki_ (1). So the man was taken there, and made to kneel down in a wide sanded space crossed by a line of _tobi-ishi_, or stepping-stones, such as you may still see in Japanese landscape-gardens. His arms were bound behind him. Retainers brought water in buckets, and rice-bags filled with pebbles; and they packed the rice-bags round the kneeling man,-so wedging him in that he could not move. The master came, and observed the arrangements. He found them satisfactory, and made no remarks.
Suddenly the condemned man cried out to him: -
What this Textopian page supports
Diplomacy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lafcadio Hearn, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Lafcadio Hearn
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Drama
- Length: 855 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Diplomacy by Lafcadio Hearn
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Diplomacy?
- How does this short story by Lafcadio Hearn fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of morality, justice, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and cultural elements reflect a specific historical context, providing insight into the customs and beliefs of the time.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative delves into philosophical questions about vengeance, karma, and the nature of existence.
- Gothic Fiction — The themes of death, revenge, and the supernatural elements contribute to a gothic atmosphere.
Tags
Anthropology · Cultural Studies · Diplomacy · Ethnography · History · International Relations · Japan · Japanese Culture · Literary Nonfiction · Memoir · Observation · Philosophy