The Birthplace

Fiction & Literature, Humorous, Classics, Literary
Cover of the book The Birthplace by Henry James, Green Bird Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Henry James ISBN: 1230001760316
Publisher: Green Bird Press Publication: July 11, 2017
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Henry James
ISBN: 1230001760316
Publisher: Green Bird Press
Publication: July 11, 2017
Imprint:
Language: English

 A witty satire on the excesses of bardolatry, the story reflects James's skepticism about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. Beyond the narrow scholarly issue, the story also shows a typically imaginative Jamesian protagonist inventing an alternative reality in his lecture on the Bard's supposed childhood activities.  

Morris Gedge is a librarian at a dull provincial library in England that is "all granite, fog and female fiction." He gets a welcome offer to become the custodian of the Shakespeare house at Stratford-on-Avon. Although Shakespeare's name is never mentioned in the story (James used the name twice in his Notebooks when he was planning the tale) it's obvious to whom "the supreme Mecca of the English-speaking race" is devoted.Once installed as the custodian, Morris begins to doubt the chatter he is forced to give to tourists who visit the home. He starts to qualify and hesitate in his spiel. This brings anguish to his wife and a warning from the shrine's proprietors. Gedge finally decides that if silliness is what's wanted, he'll supply it abundantly. The last section of the story shows him delivering a hilarious lecture on how the child Shakespeare played around the house. Of course, receipts from tourists increase and Gedge gets a raise.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

 A witty satire on the excesses of bardolatry, the story reflects James's skepticism about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. Beyond the narrow scholarly issue, the story also shows a typically imaginative Jamesian protagonist inventing an alternative reality in his lecture on the Bard's supposed childhood activities.  

Morris Gedge is a librarian at a dull provincial library in England that is "all granite, fog and female fiction." He gets a welcome offer to become the custodian of the Shakespeare house at Stratford-on-Avon. Although Shakespeare's name is never mentioned in the story (James used the name twice in his Notebooks when he was planning the tale) it's obvious to whom "the supreme Mecca of the English-speaking race" is devoted.Once installed as the custodian, Morris begins to doubt the chatter he is forced to give to tourists who visit the home. He starts to qualify and hesitate in his spiel. This brings anguish to his wife and a warning from the shrine's proprietors. Gedge finally decides that if silliness is what's wanted, he'll supply it abundantly. The last section of the story shows him delivering a hilarious lecture on how the child Shakespeare played around the house. Of course, receipts from tourists increase and Gedge gets a raise.

More books from Green Bird Press

Cover of the book Beaufort Chums by Henry James
Cover of the book Off to the Wilds by Henry James
Cover of the book Ancient Manners by Henry James
Cover of the book The Bird In The Box by Henry James
Cover of the book Ward Hill the Senior by Henry James
Cover of the book The Gilded Man by Henry James
Cover of the book Wizard by Henry James
Cover of the book Young Stowaways in Space by Henry James
Cover of the book Messenger No. 48 by Henry James
Cover of the book Seventeen Years in the Underworld by Henry James
Cover of the book An Iceland Fisherman by Henry James
Cover of the book The Owl Taxi by Henry James
Cover of the book TheFour Roads by Henry James
Cover of the book D-99 by Henry James
Cover of the book The Cottage on the Fells by Henry James
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy