The Long Hillside by Thomas Nelson Page
The narrative unfolds in a nostalgic setting, where a group of boys, along with their dogs, embark on a hare-hunting adventure during the Christmas holidays. The protagonist reflects on the past, recalling the thrill of hunting hares, which were considered their exclusive game, unlike the more esteemed partridges hunted by adults. The boys, filled with excitement, prepare for a grand hunt, gathering their motley crew of dogs, including various breeds owned by the plantation's inhabitants. On Christmas Day, the boys, accompanied by young black boys from the plantation, set out after a late breakfast, armed with old guns and sticks. The atmosphere is lively, filled with laughter and shouts as they anticipate the hunt. Uncle Limpy-Jack, a seasoned hunter, leads the group, showcasing a mix of authority and humor. The boys' enthusiasm is palpable as they chase after hares, but their initial attempts yield little success. As the hunt progresses, they encounter various mishaps, including a comical incident where one boy accidentally shoots a dog, leading to a moment of panic and concern. Despite these setbacks, the boys remain determined, and their spirits lift when they reach the "long hillside," a place teeming with hares. The excitement escalates as they spot multiple hares, resulting in a chaotic chase filled with shouts and laughter. The narrative captures the essence of childhood innocence and the thrill of adventure, juxtaposed with the realities of their environment. The boys' camaraderie is evident as they navigate the challenges of the hunt, celebrating small victories while facing the consequences of their actions. The day culminates in a return home, where they must confront the repercussions of their mischief, ultimately leading to a moment of reconciliation and the spirit of Christmas being restored. The story encapsulates themes of nostalgia, the joys of youth, and the complexities of growing up in a rural setting.
By Thomas Nelson Page · First published 1911 · Genre: Southern Local Color Fiction, Literary Short Story, Historical Fiction · 3 chapters · 5,088 words
First lines
There do not seem to be as many hares now as there used to be when I was a boy. Then the "old fields" and branch-bottoms used to be full of them. They were peculiarly our game; I mean we used to consider that they belonged to us boys. They were rather scorned by the "gentlemen," by which was meant the grown-up gentlemen, who shot partridges over the pointers, and only picked up a hare when she got in their way. And the negroes used to catch them in traps or "gums," which were traps made of hollow gum-tree logs. But we boys were the hare-hunters. They were our property from our childhood; just as much, we considered, as "Bruno" and "Don," the beautiful "crack" pointers, with their brown eyes and satiny ears and coats, were "the gentlemen's."
What this Textopian page supports
The Long Hillside is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas Nelson Page, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas Nelson Page
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Southern Local Color Fiction, Literary Short Story, Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age Fiction, Hunting Story
- Length: 5,088 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 83 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Long Hillside by Thomas Nelson Page
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Southern Local Color Fiction — The story is defined by its highly specific rural Southern plantation setting, regional dialect, customs, landscape, social hierarchy, and Christmas hunting traditions.
- Literary Short Story — It is a self-contained, polished narrative centered on a single formative childhood episode, using retrospective narration, characterization, humor, and descriptive prose.
- Historical Fiction — Set in the antebellum American South during the 1860s, it depicts the social structures, plantation life, racial relations, material culture, and sporting practices of that period.
- Coming-of-Age Fiction — The adult narrator recollects childhood freedom, excitement, mischief, responsibility, punishment, and the gradual recognition of a vanished youthful world.
Tags
Southern literature · American South · historical fiction · family saga · rural life · nature · landscape · coming of age · tradition · conflict · community · love