A Rill from the Town Pump by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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About this eBook

Author Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864
Title A Rill from the Town Pump
Note From Twice-Told Tales.
Note Reading ease score: 76.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Credits Produced by David Widger
Summary "A Rill from the Town Pump" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a short story that is part of his broader collection titled "Twice-Told Tales," written in the early to mid-19th century. This work is a satirical and reflective piece centered around a personified town pump in Salem, Massachusetts, where the pump serves as a metaphor for social commentary on consumption and the virtues of water as a pure, life-sustaining resource. The text often touches on themes of temperance and the relationship between society and alcohol usage. In this engaging story, the Town Pump addresses its audience, humorously asserting its importance and the numerous roles it plays in the community, from public health to moral guidance. The pump reminisces about its historical significance, detailing how it has been a source of refreshment and a site of ritual for generations. As the Town Pump interacts with townsfolk—from weary travelers to children—it emphasizes the benefits of cold water while contrasting it against the destructive nature of alcohol. Through its eloquent musings, the Town Pump advocates for a reform towards temperance, suggesting that the consumption of water could lead to a more virtuous society. This narrative underscores the simplicity of pure water and its potential to foster good in contrast to the vices associated with intoxicating beverages. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Short stories
Subject New England -- Fiction
Category Text
EBook-No. 9203
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Jan 2, 2021
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 65 downloads in the last 30 days.
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