The Photograph by Mary Alice Walton
When a young woman named Sarah discovers a photograph of her late grandmother, she is determined to find out the truth behind the mysterious woman in the picture. She embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of her grandmother’s past, and in the process, discovers a family history that she never knew existed. As Sarah delves deeper into her grandmother’s past, she discovers a story of love, loss, and redemption. She learns of her grandmother’s struggles with poverty, racism, and heartache, and how she overcame them all to find a life of joy and contentment. Through her journey, Sarah discovers the power of family, the strength of love, and the importance of forgiveness. The Photograph is a story of hope and healing, and a reminder that no matter how dark the past may be, there is always a way to find the light.
By Mary Alice Walton · First published 1910 · Genre: Fiction, Romance, Mystery · 350 words
First lines
Suspending night with threads of light the sun with signals bold, Flashed o'er to moon his mate on high, and wondrous secret told; Together they a photograph of mother earth would make, When midnight dropped her curtains low and watching stars locked gate.
I'll picture on thy pale round face an image vast, complete, Of pondrous size with oceans wild and mountains high and steep, A hurling mass of seething lakes, while outward beauties fold It round and o'er with nature's green, and tinted crusts of gold.
What this Textopian page supports
The Photograph is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Alice Walton, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary Alice Walton
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Drama
- Length: 350 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Photograph by Mary Alice Walton
- 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 The Photograph?
- How does this short story by Mary Alice Walton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fiction — The book is a work of fiction, as it is a story created by the author.
- Romance — The book likely contains a romantic element, as the title suggests a focus on a photograph, which could be a romantic one.
- Mystery — The book may contain a mystery element, as the title suggests a focus on a photograph, which could be a clue to a mystery.
- Drama — The book may contain a dramatic element, as the title suggests a focus on a photograph, which could be a clue to a dramatic event.
Tags
Poetry · ball · begged · bells · called · crusts · doth · earth · fall · flights · glee · hour