Brotherly Love
The narrative follows the Mortimer family, particularly focusing on the brothers Marten and Reuben, as their parents leave for Portsmouth due to urgent family matters. Marten, at thirteen, is eager to prove his maturity and responsibility by taking care of Reuben, who is much younger. Despite their mother’s concerns about leaving them alone, Marten insists he can manage, promising to look after Reuben and their pets. As the days progress, Marten struggles with the responsibilities he has taken on. He becomes increasingly impatient with Reuben, who seeks attention and companionship. Marten's attempts to balance his own studies with caring for Reuben lead to moments of frustration and crossness, revealing his immaturity despite his claims of being grown-up. The situation escalates when the boys' parents are delayed, and Marten's overconfidence leads to a series of mishaps. Reuben, feeling neglected and wanting to explore, wanders off, leading to a frantic search by Marten and the household when Reuben goes missing. The narrative highlights Marten's growing anxiety and guilt as he realizes the consequences of his actions and the dangers of underestimating his brother's needs. Reuben's adventure takes him away from the safety of home, where he encounters various challenges, including a cascade that frightens him. However, he finds comfort in the presence of Nero, the family dog, who ultimately guides him back home. The reunion is filled with relief and joy, but it also serves as a lesson for Marten about the importance of responsibility and the dangers of pride. The story concludes with a moral reflection on the nature of temptation, the importance of humility, and the need for divine guidance in overcoming life's challenges. Marten learns that true maturity involves recognizing one's limitations and the necessity of caring for others, especially those who are vulnerable. The narrative emphasizes the bond between siblings and the lessons learned through trials and experiences.
By Mary Martha Sherwood · First published 1830 · Genre: Children's Literature, Moral Tale, Fiction · 21,992 words
First lines
It was at that time of year when leaves begin to lose their green hue, and are first tinctured with a brown shade that increases rather than decreases their beauty, that Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer received a letter from a brother of Mrs. Mortimer's, at Portsmouth, requiring such immediate attention that it was thought advisable that the answer should be given in person and not in writing, and without a day's loss of time. So it was determined that Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer should leave their home, even as soon as the following morning, to visit their brother at Portsmouth, and that they then should settle the business for which they went as quickly as possible, that their absence from home need not be prolonged unnecessarily, nor indeed for any length of time. It did not take long to arrange this part of the affair, and what packing was requisite was also done quickly, but the point which required most attention and thought was, what was to become of Marten and his young brother Reuben while their papa and mamma were away. "I have never left them before," said their mamma, "and I feel somewhat anxious about their being left now."
What this Textopian page supports
Brotherly Love is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Martha Sherwood, dated 1830 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 Martha Sherwood
- Date: 1830 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Moral Tale, Fiction, Family Saga, Adventure
- Length: 21,992 words
- Structure: 1 section, 141 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Brotherly Love by Mary Martha Sherwood
- 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 Brotherly Love?
- How does this short story by Mary Martha Sherwood fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is primarily aimed at a young audience, featuring themes and narratives suitable for children.
- Moral Tale — The story conveys moral lessons about love, kindness, and familial relationships, typical of moral tales.
- Fiction — The narrative is fictional, focusing on character development and plot within an imaginative context.
- Family Saga — The plot revolves around family dynamics and relationships, characteristic of family saga narratives.
Tags
Christian Fiction · Family Drama · Social Commentary · Moral Guidance · Victorian Era · Coming of Age · Siblings Relationship · Love Story · Faith Based · Morality Tale · Social Class · Class Struggle