A Brood Mare
The narrative revolves around a brood mare's life cycle, from conception to old age. The story explores her experiences as she is bred, gives birth, and raises her foal. It delves into the complexities of her relationships with humans, who manage her breeding and care for her offspring. Throughout the narrative, themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and mortality are examined. The mare's physical and emotional struggles are portrayed in detail, highlighting the harsh realities of her existence. Her eventual decline and death serve as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life. The story is told from multiple perspectives, offering a nuanced understanding of the mare's world and the humans who interact with her.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1890 · Genre: Fiction, Drama, Feminist Literature · 701 words
First lines
It is a significant fact that the phenomenal improvement in horses during recent years is accompanied by the growing conviction that good points and a good record are as desirable in the dam as in the sire, if not more so.
I had a quarrel yesterday, A violent dispute, With a man who tried to sell to me A strange amorphous brute;
What this Textopian page supports
A Brood Mare is listed on Textopian as a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Drama, Feminist Literature, Social Critique, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 701 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Brood Mare by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Brood Mare?
- How does this short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Reassurance by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Birth by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Unmentionable by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- A Common Inference by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Cup by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Old Time Wail by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Genres
- Fiction — As the book is a narrative created by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, it is central to the Fiction genre.
- Drama — Given the emotionally intense and conflict-driven content of the book, it falls within the Drama genre.
- Feminist Literature — Given Gilman's exploration of women's issues and roles in society, the book falls under Feminist Literature.
- Social Critique — The story critiques societal norms and expectations, classifying it as part of the Social Critique genre.
Tags
feminism · gender roles · society · motherhood · oppression · identity · psychological · literary fiction · 19th century · women's rights · social commentary · dystopia