Division of Property

Name: Division of Property
Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman

The narrative explores themes of selfishness and moral justification in dire circumstances. A group of sailors, stranded on a raft, faces starvation while one crew member secretly enjoys a hidden supply of food. The starving men curse him for his apparent cruelty, as he feasts while they suffer. The sailor defends his actions, arguing that sharing his limited resources would only prolong their collective misery, as there wouldn't be enough to go around. He believes that consuming the food himself is the most logical choice, as it provides him comfort and sustenance. However, his reasoning is undermined by the fact that, while he rationalizes his actions, the other sailors are left without any food. The situation escalates as the starving men, driven by desperation, consume the remaining food, ultimately leaving the selfish sailor with nothing. This scenario highlights the conflict between individual survival instincts and communal responsibility, illustrating how self-serving logic can lead to dire consequences for all involved. The work critiques the moral implications of prioritizing one's own needs over the collective welfare, emphasizing the dangers of isolationist thinking in times of crisis.

By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1892 · Genre: Feminist Literature, Sociological Fiction, Realistic Fiction · 239 words

First lines

Some sailors were starving at sea On a raft where they happened to be, When one of the crew Who was hidden from view Was found to be feasting most free.

Then they cursed him in language profane, Because there on the pitiless main While the others did starve, He could ladle and carve, Eating food which they could not obtain.

"But," said he, "tis my own little store! To feed all of you would take more! If I shared, 'twould be found That it would not go round; And you all would starve on as before!

"It would only prolong your distress To distribute this one little mess! The supply is so small I had best eat it all, For me it will comfort and bless!"

What this Textopian page supports

Division of Property is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Date: 1892 CE
Language: English
Genres: Feminist Literature, Sociological Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Literary Fiction
Length: 239 words
Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Division of Property 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 Division of Property?
How does this short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Feminist Literature first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Feminist Literature — Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a well-known feminist author and this title indicates a subject of women's rights or gender roles.
Sociological Fiction — Gilman's works often tackle societal issues, given the title, it can be inferred a sociological theme on property rights or division.
Realistic Fiction — The author's work is frequently set in a realistic framework, exploring real-world problems.
Literary Fiction — Charlotte Perkins Gilman's work tend to uphold a notable literary quality, handling complex themes and polished writing style.