The Shivering Beggar
The narrative unfolds on a cold Christmas morning, where a saint encounters a beggar near Clapham village. The saint, moved by compassion, offers his warm clothing to the beggar, who responds with curses and blasphemy, revealing a lack of gratitude. Despite receiving various garments, the beggar continues to shiver, prompting the saint to question the effectiveness of his charity. The saint, stripped of his own clothing and standing naked in the snow, prays for strength and clarity of heart, struggling with doubt as he witnesses the beggar's persistent discomfort. The beggar reveals that his shivering is not due to the cold but rather a physical ailment, highlighting the futility of the saint's efforts. This encounter serves as a critique of superficial acts of charity and the complexities of human suffering. The saint's selflessness contrasts sharply with the beggar's ingratitude, raising questions about the nature of compassion and the expectations surrounding it. The narrative ultimately explores themes of faith, sacrifice, and the often-unrecognized struggles of those in need.
By Robert Graves · First published 1930 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Social Commentary · 410 words
First lines
Near Clapham village, where fields began, Saint Edward met a beggar man. It was Christmas morning, the church bells tolled, The old man trembled for the fierce cold.
Saint Edward cried, "It is monstrous sin A beggar to lie in rags so thin! An old grey-beard and the frost so keen: I shall give him my fur-lined gaberdine."
What this Textopian page supports
The Shivering Beggar is listed on Textopian as a short story by Robert Graves, dated 1930 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Robert Graves
- Date: 1930 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious, Social Commentary, Historical, Tragedy
- Length: 410 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
- The Outcasts by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Bowl And Rim by Robert Graves
- The Bigot by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Hymn Before Action by Rudyard Kipling
- Christmas Eve by Robert Graves
- A Song At Cock Crow by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Religious — The themes revolve around faith, charity, and the moral implications of helping those in need.
- Social Commentary — The poem critiques societal attitudes towards poverty and the treatment of beggars.
- Historical — Set in a historical context, referencing Saint Edward and traditional Christian values.
Tags
Christmas · beggar · Saint Edward · charity · cold · poverty · faith · sacrifice · compassion · suffering · humility · miracle