The House of Lost Time
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and the passing of time, reflecting on the speaker's childhood and adolescence spent in a rural Brazilian town. The house of lost time refers to the family home where memories of the past linger, now abandoned and in disrepair. Through vivid imagery and introspection, the speaker recounts moments from their youth, including relationships with family members and friends, as well as experiences with nature and the local landscape.
By Carlos Drummond de Andrade · First published 1987 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Magical Realism · 122 words
First lines
I knocked on the doors of lost time. No one answered.
I knocked a second time, a third, a fourth.
No answer.
The house of lost time is half covered with ivy; the other half is ashes.
What this Textopian page supports
The House of Lost Time is listed on Textopian as a short story by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, dated 1987 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Carlos Drummond de Andrade
- Date: 1987 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Magical Realism, Psychological Fiction, Gothic Fiction
- Length: 122 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The House of Lost Time by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
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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 House of Lost Time?
- How does this short story by Carlos Drummond de Andrade fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Communion by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Disappearance Of Luisa Porto by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Declaration In Court by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- The Voice by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Nakedness by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Nausea And The Flower by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is poetic and introspective, focusing on themes of time and existence.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores deep existential questions and the nature of time.
- Magical Realism — The depiction of the house and the surreal elements suggest a blend of reality and fantasy.
- Psychological Fiction — The focus on the narrator's internal struggle and emotional state highlights psychological depth.
Tags
Brazilian Literature · Poetry · Modernism · Stream-of-Consciousness · Experimental Fiction · Surrealism · Psychological Insight · Family Drama · Time and Memory · Nostalgia · Autobiographical Elements · Philosophical Themes