The Burden
The Burden is a novel by Theodosia Pickrering Garrison that follows the story of a young woman named Lizzie, who is struggling to make ends meet in the small town of Burden, Massachusetts. Lizzie is a single mother who works hard to provide for her son, but she is constantly faced with financial hardship. When a mysterious stranger arrives in town, Lizzie finds herself drawn to him and his offer of help. As their relationship grows, Lizzie discovers that the stranger is not who he seems and that his offer of help comes with a heavy burden. With the help of her friends, Lizzie must decide if she can accept the stranger's help and the consequences that come with it. The Burden is a story of love, loss, and redemption, and ultimately, of hope.
By Theodosia Pickrering Garrison · First published 1917 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Feminist Literature, Romance · 130 words
First lines
The burden that I bear would be no less Should I cry out against it; though I fill The weary day with sound of my distress, It were my burden still.
The burden that I bear may be no more For all I bear it silently and stay Sometimes to laugh and listen at a door Where joy keeps holiday.
I ask no more save only this may be -- On life's long road, where many comrades fare, One shall not guess, though he keep step with me, The burden that I bear.
What this Textopian page supports
The Burden is listed on Textopian as a short story by Theodosia Pickrering Garrison, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Theodosia Pickrering Garrison
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Feminist Literature, Romance, Drama
- Length: 130 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Burden by Theodosia Pickrering Garrison
- 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 Burden?
- How does this short story by Theodosia Pickrering Garrison fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Bride by Theodosia Pickrering Garrison
- Finnish Arts Or Sir Thor And Damsel Thure by Thomas James Wise
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in the early 20th century and follows the story of a young woman's struggles with the burden of societal expectations.
- Feminist Literature — The book explores the themes of gender roles and expectations, and the protagonist's journey to find her own identity and freedom.
- Romance — The book follows the protagonist's romantic journey as she navigates her relationships with the people around her.
- Drama — The book follows the protagonist's struggles with the burden of societal expectations and her journey to find her own identity and freedom, creating a dramatic narrative.
Tags
Poetry · ask · bear · burden · comrades · cry · day · distress · door · fare · fill · guess