Narrative and Miscellaneous Papers

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

De Quincey, Thomas, 1785-1859

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Narrative and Miscellaneous Papers" by Thomas De Quincey is a collection of essays and narratives written during the early 19th century. The work explores profound themes of human frailty, tragedy, and the emotional depths of existence, weaving personal reflections with broader social commentary. The first story, "The Household Wreck," delves into the fragile nature of happiness and the sudden catastrophes that can upend lives, focusing on a man's recollection of his cherished wife and the looming shadows of misfortune that threaten their bliss. At the start of "The Household Wreck," the narrator reflects on the inherent weaknesses of human life, setting a melancholic tone as he prepares to recount a personal tragedy. He recalls a moment of idyllic happiness spent with his wife, Agnes, during a beautiful spring day, only to have it shattered by unforeseen circumstances. The opening details the narrator's deep admiration for Agnes, describing her beauty and character, while foreshadowing an impending disaster that will irrevocably alter their lives. As the story unfolds, ominous predictions from a clairvoyant woman hint at calamity, leading to an intense narrative that captures the fragility of joy and the catastrophic events that can transform it into despair. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

The household wreck

The Spanish nun

Flight of a Tartar tribe

System of the heavens as revealed by Lord Rosse's telescopes

Modern superstition

Coleridge and opium-eating

Temperance movement

On war

The last days of Immanuel Kant.

Credits:

Text file produced by Anne Soulard, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team HTML file produced by David Widger

Notes:

Reading ease score: 50.4 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2004-07-01