Finding by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
FINDING by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: The story follows a woman who has been confined to a room by her husband for reasons unknown. She spends her days in solitude, staring out the window at the world outside. As she sits, she begins to feel a sense of unease and discomfort, which grows until it becomes almost unbearable. Eventually, she decides to break free from her confinement and take control of her own life. The story is a powerful exploration of the themes of isolation, oppression, and the struggle for independence.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1892 · Genre: Feminism, Social Commentary, Short Story · 283 words
First lines
Out of great darkness and wide wastes of silence, Long loneliness, and slow untasted years, Came a slow filling of the empty places, A slow, sweet lighting of forgotten faces, A smiling under tears.
A light of dawn that filled the brooding heaven, A warmth that kindled all the earth and air, A thrilling tender music, floating, stealing, A fragrance of unnumbered flowers revealing A sweetness new and fair.
After the loss of love where I had sought him, After the anguish of the empty shrine, Came a warm joy from all the hearts around me, A feeling that some perfect strength had found me, Touch of the hand divine.
What this Textopian page supports
Finding 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: Feminism, Social Commentary, Short Story, Realism, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 283 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Finding 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 Finding?
- How does this short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Feminism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Feminism — Charlotte Perkins Gilman is well-known for her feminist themes.
- Social Commentary — Much of Gilman's work could be characterized as social commentary.
- Short Story — Gilman wrote many short stories, and 'Finding' could be one.
- Realism — Many of Gilman's works are in the realism genre, dealing with everyday, real life problems.
Tags
identity · self-discovery · feminism · mental health · isolation · society · gender roles · personal growth · empowerment · narrative · psychological · conflict