The Daughter of Lilith to Jean Psichari
The Daughter of Lilith is a novel by Anatole France that explores the themes of gender roles, identity, and social hierarchy in late 19th-century France. The story follows the life of a young woman named Thérèse, who is born into a family of modest means but is determined to rise above her station through education and intellectual pursuits. As Thérèse navigates the complexities of French society, she finds herself caught between her desire for independence and her duty to her family. Through her experiences, France explores the limitations placed on women during this time period and the ways in which they were expected to conform to societal norms. Through Thérèse's journey, France also critiques the hypocrisy of French society, particularly in regards to its treatment of women and the working class. The novel is a powerful commentary on the social and political issues of the time, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
By Anatole France · First published 1890 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction · 5,339 words
First lines
I had left Paris late in the evening, and I spent a long, silent and snowy night in the corner of the railway carriage. I waited six mortal hours at X, and the next afternoon I found nothing better than a farm-waggon to take me to Artigues. The plain whose furrows rose and fell by turns on either side of the road, and which I had seen long ago lying radiant in the sunshine, was now covered with a heavy veil of snow over which straggled the twisted black stems of the vines. My driver gently urged on his old horse, and we proceeded through an infinite silence broken only at intervals by the plaintive cry of a bird, sad even unto death. I murmured this prayer in my heart: "My God, God of Mercy, save me from despair and after so many transgressions, let me not commit the one sin Thou dost not forgive." Then I saw the sun, red and rayless, blood-hued, descending on the horizon, as it were, the sacred Host, and remembering the divine Sacrifice of Calvary, I felt hope enter into my soul.
What this Textopian page supports
The Daughter of Lilith to Jean Psichari is listed on Textopian as a novella by Anatole France, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Anatole France
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 5,339 words
- Structure: 1 section, 102 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Daughter of Lilith to Jean Psichari by Anatole France
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Daughter of Lilith to Jean Psichari?
- How does this novella by Anatole France fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Fair Rosamond by Bernard Capes
- The Real Lady Hilda by B. M. Croker
- The Dawning by Alice Meynell
- A Vanquished Man by Alice Meynell
- The Changeling Mary Lamb by Alicia Catherine Mant
Genres
- Literary Fiction — Anatole France is known for his literary fiction work. His nuanced storytelling and intricate character development typically fits this genre.
- Drama — The narrative can have intense interactions between characters, dramatic situations and conflicts, which is typical of the Drama genre.
- Historical Fiction — Anatole France often intertwines historical context and real world events with his plots, qualifying his work as Historical Fiction.
- Romance — The book could possibly contain elements of love, affection and personal relationships as a part of the storyline, which are common in the Romance genre.
Tags
French Literature · Symbolism · Nineteenth Century Literature · Feminist Literature · Gothic Fiction · Supernatural Elements · Mythology · Allegory · Social Commentary · Psychological Thriller · Gender Roles · Victorian Era