Lispeth by Rudyard Kipling (1888)
The narrative follows a young girl named Lispeth, born to a Hill-man and his wife, who convert to Christianity after a failed harvest. Following the death of her parents due to cholera, Lispeth becomes a companion to the Chaplain's wife at the Kotgarth Mission. She grows into a strikingly beautiful young woman, embodying both her Hill heritage and the influences of her Christian upbringing. Despite her beauty and charm, she faces disdain from her own people for adopting Western customs. At seventeen, Lispeth discovers an injured Englishman on a walk and brings him back to the mission to nurse him. She expresses her intent to marry him, but the Chaplain and his wife disapprove, emphasizing the impropriety of her feelings. The Englishman, recovering from his injuries, finds Lispeth's affection endearing but reveals he is engaged to someone back home. Despite this, he enjoys her company, leading Lispeth to believe in a future together. After he leaves, Lispeth waits for his return, convinced he will marry her. However, when she learns he has returned to England and forgotten her, her hope shatters. The Chaplain's wife reveals the truth about the Englishman's intentions, leading Lispeth to reject her Christian identity and return to her roots. She adopts the ways of her people, marrying a woodcutter who mistreats her, and her beauty fades. In her later years, Lispeth reflects on her past, often recounting her first love story when intoxicated. The tale illustrates the clash between cultures, the complexities of love, and the harsh realities faced by those caught between two worlds. Ultimately, Lispeth's journey highlights the fragility of dreams and the impact of societal expectations on individual lives.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1888 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Colonial Literature · 2,666 words
First lines
Look, you have cast out Love! What Gods are these You bid me please? The Three in One, the One in Three? Not so! To my own Gods I go. It may be they shall give me greater ease Than your cold Christ and tangled Trinities. The Convert.
She was the daughter of Sonoo, a Hill-man, and Jadeh his wife. One year their maize failed, and two bears spent the night in their only poppy-field just above the Sutlej Valley on the Kotgarth side; so, next season, they turned Christian, and brought their baby to the Mission to be baptized. The Kotgarth Chaplain christened her Elizabeth, and "Lispeth" is the Hill or pahari pronunciation.
What this Textopian page supports
Lispeth is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Colonial Literature, Coming-of-Age, Tragedy
- Length: 2,666 words
- Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lispeth by Rudyard Kipling
- 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 Lispeth?
- How does this short story by Rudyard Kipling fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Where Angels Fear To Tread by E. M. Forster
- The Crowning by Gilbert Parker
- The Lost Girl by D. H. Lawrence
- The Singing Of The Bees by Gilbert Parker
- The Gipsy Countess by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Light That Failed by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The story explores complex themes of identity, love, and cultural conflict, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around Lispeth's romantic feelings for the Englishman, highlighting themes of love and longing.
- Colonial Literature — The narrative reflects the colonial context and the interactions between British missionaries and local cultures.
- Coming-of-Age — Lispeth's journey from innocence to disillusionment represents a coming-of-age story.
Tags
colonialism · identity · cultural clash · innocence · betrayal · love · loss · nature · tradition · society · gender roles · self-discovery