54 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category


    • CHAPTER V. AN OLD SCOTCH GARDENER Cover
      by LovelyMay In a reminiscent homage to a bygone era, the chapter explores the life and character of Robert, an emblematic figure of the old Scottish gardener, a breed fast becoming extinct in the face of modernity. Described with a blend of reverence and affection, Robert personifies the union of man and nature, echoing the idyllic harmony once found in Scotland's rural gardens. His figure, reminiscent of Don Quixote but seasoned with the austere ethos of the Covenanters, manifests an antiquated dignity that seems…
    • V -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay The chapter narrates the author's experiences and reflections on failure, learning, and the pursuit of success in literary endeavors. Initially, he expresses a strong inclination towards learning from his failures, acknowledging the shortcomings in his work with a discerning eye. Despite enjoying the process of creation, he rarely shares his work with friends, choosing instead those who would offer candid feedback, emphasizing the value of honest critique in his development as a writer. The author's…
    • VI -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay In "A College Magazine," the writer shares a candid reflection on his boyhood to youth, marked by an incessant drive to master the craft of writing despite being labeled an idler. He describes a life immersed in words, carrying two books at all times—one for reading and one for writing. His days were filled with the quest to precisely capture the scenes around him through descriptive writing and poetry, not for any external purpose but as a self-imposed challenge to hone his skills in writing. The…
    • VII -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Memories and Portraits," the narrative delves deeply into the nature of happiness, self-awareness, and the value of friendships. The text begins by reflecting on the concept of self-forgetfulness as the essence of happiness, contrasting it with the metaphorical image of Prometheus still chained to the Caucasus, symbolizing the struggle of the individual with their own limitations and pains. The passage suggests a journey toward recognizing one's own fallibility and the deep, humbling process of…
    • VIII -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay In the chapter "Old Mortality" from "Memories and Portraits," the narrator reflects on his youthful experiences in a graveyard that sits juxtaposed between a prison and a quiet hotel, overshadowed by the bustling sounds of nearby rail traffic. This somber setting serves as a backdrop for his introspections on life, death, and the fleeting nature of human existence as he wanders among the graves, contemplating the lives of those remembered only by simple epitaphs. This graveyard becomes a place where the…
    • CHAPTER II. SOME COLLEGE MEMORIES (2) Cover
      by LovelyMay In the second chapter of "Memories and Portraits," the narrator reflects on his time at the University of Edinburgh with a mix of nostalgia and critique, noting the changes and continuities between his generation and the current one. He mentions how time swiftly changes the landscape of college life, highlighting his own experience of feeling aged when seeing his name listed among many successors in a university club's record, symbolizing the rapid passing of generations within the academic…
    • CHAPTER I. THE FOREIGNER AT HOME Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Foreigner at Home," the author reflects on the nuanced divisions of races and nations, emphasizing the peculiar experience of feeling foreign within the United Kingdom—a land of diverse dialects, landscapes, and heritages. This diversity, manifest in the stark contrasts between the bustling industriousness of England and the rugged, Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, underscores the complexity of national identity. Despite English dominance and the widespread reach of the…
    • Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay Memories and Portraits by Robert Louis Stevenson is a heartfelt collection of essays that combines personal reminiscences with reflections on art, literature, and human experience. Published in 1887, the book offers an intimate glimpse into Stevenson’s life, including his childhood in Scotland, his love for travel, and his musings on relationships and creativity. With its elegant prose and thoughtful observations, the collection captures the charm and wisdom of one of literature’s most beloved storytellers, offering readers both inspiration and a deeper understanding of the author’s world.
    • Ballad: Gentle Alice Brown Cover
      by LovelyMay In the humorous ballad "Gentle Alice Brown" from *The Bab Ballads*, we follow the tale of Alice Brown, the daughter of a feared robber in a small Italian town. Unlike the grim nature of her family's profession, Alice’s tale takes a whimsical turn when she finds herself enamored with a handsome young gentleman she spies from her window, a sorter in the Custom-house, who innocently passes by her home each day. Despite the initial innocence of her crush, the narrative unfurls Alice’s confessions to the…
    • Ballad: The wind blows towards the lee, Willow! But though I sigh and sob and cry, No Lady Jane for me, Willow! Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad from "The Bab Ballads," the sorrowful tale of young Joe, a sailor under the command of Captain Joyce, unfolds with a melancholy tune. Joe laments his unrequited love for Lady Jane, believing his lowly status as a sailor to be the barrier between them. Captain Joyce, frustrated with Joe's constant mourning and banjo-playing, wishes Joe had chosen a different path, perhaps less musical and more befitting a sailor. Despite Captain Joyce's harsh methods of discipline, including a sentence of…
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