Apple tree

Author: (English) Galsworthy
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: The Apple Tree, a novella, is self-proclaimed by the author as one of his best stories, with beautiful and engaging prose. The entire narrative depicts young university student Aesculapius falling in love with the innocent and naive village girl Megan out of "pity," becoming engaged under the apple tree with her, and then abandoning her due to class consciousness. He causes a tragic love story, and in the end, he regrets it because he lost the most beautiful thing in his life—"that apple tree, that song, and that gold." This book is a classic masterpiece that must be read by college English learners. It features concise and accessible content, fully reflecting the characteristics of British and American literature. At the beginning of the story, Aesculapius discusses "pity," saying it is "at least a pearl in an oyster." This question was also discussed by the author in a letter to Hardy while writing The Apple Tree, where he said, "The oyster suffers because of the pearl, but the pearl is the most beautiful thing. It is more precious than the oyster itself." Based on this, it is not difficult to discern the author's moral critique and aesthetic philosophy from the novel. "That apple tree, that song, and that gold."