The Ruling Passion: Tales of Nature and Human Nature by Henry Van Dyke
"The Ruling Passion: Tales of Nature and Human Nature" by Henry Van Dyke is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The book explores the concept of ruling passions that govern human behavior and perception, enshrining themes of love, nature, and the complexities of the human experience. It’s divided into various tales featuring characters that confront their passions in relation to the world around them, revealing insights into
their true natures. The opening of the collection begins with a reflective piece where the author addresses the responsibilities of a writer, expressing a desire to weave narratives that resonate with genuine human emotions. This preface sets the stage for the exploration of life's many passions—whether they be love, ambition, honor, or devotion—highlighting how these elements shape individual stories. Following this is the story of “A Lover of Music,” introducing the character Jacques Tremblay—a mysterious fiddle player who arrives in a backwoods village during a New Year's Eve celebration. His arrival, seemingly by chance, brings music into a gathering that was teetering toward disappointment over the absence of a band. This tale establishes the central theme of music as a powerful passion and sets a whimsical tone for the stories to come. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Van Dyke, Henry, 1852-1933 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Ruling Passion: Tales of Nature and Human Nature |
| Note | Reading ease score: 80.3 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Contents | A lover of music — The reward of virtue — A brave heart — The gentle life — A friend of justice — The white blot — A year of nobility — The keeper of the light. |
| Credits | Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Fiction |
| Subject | Short stories, American |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 1048 |
| Release Date | Sep 1, 1997 |
| Most Recently Updated | Jan 27, 2021 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 188 downloads in the last 30 days. |
| Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free! | |
