• Chapter

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 1 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 1 of Their Eyes Were Watching God begins with Janie reflecting on her life, symbolizing it as a tree with many branches representing various experiences—some joyful and others filled with sorrow. The opening lines suggest that men’s dreams are like ships forever sailing, unattached to any harbor or solid purpose. This imagery paints a picture of unattainable aspirations that drift endlessly, lost in time, suggesting that many dreams may never fully materialize. In contrast, women are depicted…
    • Chapter

      CHAMPAGNE

      CHAMPAGNE Cover
      by LovelyMay In the vignette "Champagne: A Wayfarer's Story" from "The Schoolmistress and Other Stories," the narrator recounts his desolate existence as a railway station employee in a remote, uninhabited part of southwestern Russia. Life at the station is marked by isolation, with the only human interactions being brief glimpses of passengers through train windows and the company of his wife, a deaf telegraph clerk, and a few watchmen. The narrator's only solace in this desolation comes from drinking drugged vodka…
    • Buttered Side Down Cover
      by LovelyMay Buttered Side Down by Edna Ferber is a delightful collection of short stories that offers witty, poignant, and insightful glimpses into the lives of everyday people. Published in 1912, the stories explore themes of love, ambition, hardship, and the unpredictable nature of life, often emphasizing the humor and irony in ordinary circumstances. With Ferber’s sharp observations and engaging prose, the collection captures the struggles and triumphs of its characters, making it a timeless celebration of human resilience and spirit.
    • Buttercup Gold and Other Stories Cover
      by LovelyMay Buttercup Gold and Other Stories by Ellen Robena Field is a delightful collection of heartwarming tales and poems that celebrate nature, kindness, and the innocence of childhood. Filled with vivid imagery and timeless lessons, the book offers a nostalgic glimpse into simple joys and moral values.
    • Chapter

      Bribed

      Bribed Cover
      by LovelyMay The chapter titled **"Bribed"** presents a tender depiction of a grandparent’s affection and weakness for their grandchild’s innocence and charming antics. The narrator confesses to succumbing to the child's endearing forms of persuasion, such as smiles, hugs, and tears, despite knowing that these indulgences might not always be in the child's best interest. For example, the grandparent gives in to granting treats like chocolate cake and watermelon, leading to the child's stomach ache, and buys roller…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • BATTLE AT THE SHIPS Cover
      by LovelyMay With the break of dawn, Agamemnon, the Greek king, awakens, his fear dissipated. He armors himself, orders the chiefs in front of their chariots, and the army takes formation, with spearmen in the center and bowmen and slingers at the flanks under a foreboding black cloud raining red. The Trojans, with Hector in shining armor darting across their ranks like a fleeting star, assemble on a height across the plain. As the two armies collide, a brutal struggle ensues, likened to reapers slicing through corn.…
    • Aucassin and Nicolete Cover
      by LovelyMay Aucassin and Nicolete is a medieval French chanson de geste that tells the romantic and adventurous story of Aucassin, a nobleman, and Nicolete, a beautiful Saracen captive, as they endure trials, separation, and danger in their quest to be together, blending elements of love, adventure, and humor.
    • Chapter

      As It Is

      As It Is Cover
      by LovelyMay In the poem "As It Is," the narrator muses on his wishes for a better world, one with kinder people, less greed, and softer views on the faults of others. Despite his longing for improvement, he accepts the world and its inhabitants as they are, acknowledging that life, with all its sorrow, bitterness, and pain, also brings joy, friendship, and love. He concludes that the world, in all its complexity, is ultimately a place of more gladness than sorrow, suggesting an acceptance of life's imperfections and a…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • AN UNCOUNTED HOUR Cover
      by LovelyMay In "An Uncounted Hour" from *Dolly Dialogues*, we find ourselves in a scene rich with casual yet revealing banter, surrounded by the elegant landscape of The Towers. The morning unfolds with Lady Mickleham and the narrator, identified only as Mr. Carter, indulging in an almost whimsical conversation. Set against the backdrop of feeding a retriever pâté de foie gras—much to the dowager's chagrin—the dialogue swings between topics of extravagance, economy, and personal revelations. Lady Mickleham, in a…
    • AN  EXPENSIVE  PRIVILEGE Cover
      by LovelyMay "An Expensive Privilege" opens with the narrator recounting a particularly uncomfortable situation involving Mrs. Hilary Musgrave and Lady Mickleham, which pits the former's disapproval against the latter. The narrator, surprised by Mrs. Hilary's attitude given her usual broad sympathies and good looks, dives into the history of their discord. The issue began when Mrs. Hilary, unable to attend a gathering due to illness and a visiting cousin, had asked Lady Mickleham (Dolly) to chaperone Miss Phyllis at…
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