Coming (the Forerunner)
COMING (THE FORERUNNER) by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: A young woman, isolated and alone, is subjected to a series of experiments designed to break her spirit and remake her in the image of her husband. The story is a powerful critique of patriarchal society and the ways in which women were (and continue to be) marginalized and oppressed.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1899 · Genre: Science Fiction, Utopian and Dystopian, Feminist Literature · 172 words
First lines
Because the time is ripe, the age is ready, Because the world her woman's help demands, Out of the long subjection and seclusion Come to our field of warfare and confusion The mother's heart and hands.
Long has she stood aside, endured and waited, While man swung forward, toiling on alone; Now, for the weary man, so long ill-mated, Now, for the world for which she was created, Comes woman to her own.
Not for herself! though sweet the air of freedom; Not for herself, though dear the new-born power; But for the child, who needs a nobler mother, For the whole people, needing one another, Comes woman to her hour.
What this Textopian page supports
Coming (the Forerunner) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, dated 1899 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: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Utopian and Dystopian, Feminist Literature, Social Commentary
- Length: 172 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Coming (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 Coming (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
- She Who Is To Come by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Another Star The Forerunner by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Now The Forerunner by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- She Who Is To Come Charlotte Perkins Gilman by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- In Mother Time by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Pioneers by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Genres
- Science Fiction — Charlotte Perkins Gilman's 'Coming (The Forerunner)' follows a plot revolving around a futurist society, which is a common theme in the science fiction genre.
- Utopian and Dystopian — 'Coming (The Forerunner)' projects a future that is both perfect (utopian) and flawed (dystopian) simultaneously, conforming to the genre's standards.
- Feminist Literature — Perkins Gilman was a known feminist, and the principles of equality and female empowerment are integral to 'Coming (The Forerunner)', making it a part of the feminist literature genre.
- Social Commentary — Throughout 'Coming (The Forerunner)', social issues and societal norms are critically examined, which is a characteristic of social commentary genre.
Tags
feminism · utopia · dystopia · gender roles · society · equality · social commentary · women's rights · progressive · speculative fiction · reform · empowerment