The Broom-Squire
"The Broom-Squire" by Sabine Baring-Gould follows a sailor who arrives at a tavern in Thursley with a baby after the death of the child's mother. The sailor, inexperienced in childcare, struggles to care for the infant while seeking assistance from the tavern's landlady and other patrons. The narrative explores themes of paternal responsibility, the challenges of single parenthood, and the interactions between various characters, including a group of ragged men who offer to help the sailor. Tensions arise among the tavern's patrons, leading to conflict and humor as the sailor navigates his new role while trying to find a safe place for the child. The story highlights the sailor's determination to care for the baby despite his lack of knowledge and the chaotic environment around him.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1896 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Literary Fiction · 51 chapters · 134,642 words
First lines
On a September evening, before the setting of the sun, a man entered the tavern of the Ship in Thursley, with a baby under his arm.
The tavern sign, rudely painted, bore, besides a presentment of a vessel, the inscription on one side of the board: --
What this Textopian page supports
The Broom-Squire is listed on Textopian as a novel by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Social Commentary
- Length: 134,642 words
- Structure: 51 chapters, 3,228 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Broom-Squire by Sabine Baring-Gould
- 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 Broom-Squire?
- How does this novel by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The novel is set in a specific historical context and explores themes relevant to that time period.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and the protagonist's experiences in various situations, embodying the spirit of adventure.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is characterized by its depth and exploration of character and theme, typical of literary fiction.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist undergoes personal growth and development throughout the story, fitting the coming-of-age genre.
Tags
historical fiction · 19th century · England · rural life · craftsmanship · broom-making · coming of age · adventure · family · social class · friendship · self-discovery
Contents
- At the Sign of the Ship
- Wandering Souls
- The Punch-Bowl
- Without a Roof
- Mehetabel
- Mehetabel it Must be
- False Perspective
- Only a Charity Girl
- Bideabout
- Into the Net
- A Surname at Last
- Unexpected
- Home
- Not Paradise
- Iver
- Again-Iver
- Dreams
- Realities
- Back again
- Gone
- Thor's Stone
- Iver! Come
- A Shot
- The Iron-Stone Hammer
- An Apparition
- A Secret
- Poison
- A Threat
- A Herald of Strife
- A Bequest
- Surprises
- Another Surprise
- Markham
- The Picture
- The only Change
- The Sleeping Draught
- A Menaced Life
- Shut out
- At the Silk Mill
- By the Hammer Pond
- Wanderers
- The Cave
- Again: Ironstone
- In Hope
- A Troubled Hope
- Before the Judge
- The Verdict
- Welcome
- Move on
- Thor's Stone again
- The Rose-Cloud