Another Star (the Forerunner)
ANOTHER STAR (THE FORERUNNER) by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: In this short story, first published in 1914, Gilman explores the theme of isolation and the effects of societal pressure on an individual's mental health. The narrator, who is unnamed, is a woman who has been confined to a room by her husband, who believes that she is suffering from a nervous disorder. The narrator spends her days in solitude, with only a small window to look out upon the world outside. As she gazes out the window, she becomes increasingly obsessed with a new star that has appeared in the sky, which she believes represents a new and better life. Despite her husband's efforts to keep her isolated, the narrator's mind continues to wander towards this new star, representing her desire for freedom and escape from her confined existence.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1892 · Genre: Science Fiction, Feminist Literature, Speculative Fiction · 249 words
First lines
(Suffrage Campaign Song for California)
TUNE: "Buy a Broom."
There are five a-light before us, In the flag flying o'er us, There'll be six on next election -- We bring a new star! We are coming like the others, Free Sisters, Free Brothers, In the pride of our affection For California. CHORUS: A ballot for the Lady! For the Home and for the Baby! Come, vote ye for the Lady, The Baby, the Home!
What this Textopian page supports
Another Star (the Forerunner) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Feminist Literature, Speculative Fiction, Utopian and Dystopian
- Length: 249 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Another Star (the Forerunner) 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 Another Star (the Forerunner)?
- How does this poem by Charlotte Perkins Gilman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Now The Forerunner by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Coming The Forerunner by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- She Who Is To Come by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Shadows Of The Coming Race by George Eliot
- She Who Is To Come Charlotte Perkins Gilman by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Child Of The Phalanstery by Grant Allen
Genres
- Science Fiction — As a forerunner in the science fiction genre, Gilman's novel 'Another Star' imagines a utopian society on another planet, displaying characteristic elements of science fiction.
- Feminist Literature — Gilman is well-known for her work in feminist literature, and 'Another Star' includes themes of gender equity and societal progress that characterize this genre.
- Speculative Fiction — By exploring an entirely new sociopolitical system on another planet in 'Another Star', Gilman's work can fall under the umbrella of speculative fiction, which includes narratives that speculate about worlds that are unlike the real world in various important ways.
- Utopian and Dystopian — 'Another Star' envisions a utopian society, which makes it relevant to the utopian and dystopian genre.
Tags
feminism · utopia · science fiction · gender roles · social commentary · women's rights · dystopia · equality · empowerment · progressive · speculative fiction · individualism