Nationalism
Nationalism by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: In this short story, published in 1905, Gilman explores the theme of nationalism and its impact on individual identity. The narrator, who remains unnamed throughout the tale, finds herself caught between her loyalty to her country and her own personal beliefs. As tensions rise between the United States and a fictional Latin American nation, the narrator is faced with a difficult decision: should she prioritize her patriotism or her own sense of morality? Through the use of symbolism and imagery, Gilman critiques the dangers of blind nationalism and the ways in which it can lead to oppression and inequality. The story serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked nationalism and the importance of individual freedom and autonomy.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1890 · Genre: Political Fiction, Social Criticism, Feminist Literature · 292 words
First lines
The nation is a unit. That which makes You an American of our to-day Requires the nation and its history, Requires the sum of all our citizens, Requires the product of our common toil, Requires the freedom of our common laws, The common heart of our humanity. Decrease our population, check our growth, Deprive us of our wealth, our liberty, Lower the nation's conscience by a hair, And you are less than that you were before! You stand here in the world the man you are Because your country is America. Our liberty belongs to each of us; The nation guarantees it; in return We serve the nation, serving so ourselves. Our education is a common right; The state provides it, equally to all, Each taking what he can, and in return We serve the state, so serving best ourselves. Food, clothing, all necessities of life,- These are a right as much as liberty! The nation feeds its children. In return We serve the nation, serving still ourselves- Nay, not ourselves-ourself! We are but parts, The unit is the state,-America.
What this Textopian page supports
Nationalism is listed on Textopian as an essay 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: Essay
- Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Political Fiction, Social Criticism, Feminist Literature
- Length: 292 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Nationalism 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 Nationalism?
- How does this essay by Charlotte Perkins Gilman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Political Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- If A Man May Not Eat Neither Can He Work by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Three Guineas by Virginia Woolf
- A Conservative by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Their Grass A Protest From California by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Nationality Or Cosmopolitanism by George William Russell
- Woman by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Political Fiction — The novel's main focus is on the theme of nationalism, examining it in a fictionalized context.
- Social Criticism — Gilman criticizes societal norms and conventions related to the concept of nationalism.
- Feminist Literature — Gilman is a known feminist author and her works often involve themes of equality and women's rights, tying it into larger social issues like nationalism.
Tags
nationalism · politics · identity · patriotism · society · culture · gender · economics · social justice · colonialism · imperialism · national identity