Our San Francisco Climate
The narrative presents a conversation between a resident of San Francisco and an Eastern visitor, highlighting the city's unique climate. The speaker enthusiastically showcases the picturesque scenery, including the hills, sky, and bay, while repeatedly inquiring about the visitor's impression of the climate. However, the tone shifts as the wind and fog descend, introducing elements of discomfort and chaos, such as dust and debris. The visitor struggles to respond, overwhelmed by the sudden change in weather. The poem culminates in a darkly humorous twist, as the visitor is metaphorically "overcome" by the climate, suggesting that San Francisco's weather can be both enchanting and harsh. The work captures the duality of the city's environment, blending beauty with unpredictability, and reflects on the challenges faced by newcomers in adapting to its idiosyncratic conditions.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1899 · Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary · 289 words
First lines
Said I to my friend from the East,- A tenderfoot he,- As I showed him the greatest and least Of our hills by the sea, "How do you like our climate? " And I smiled in my glee.
I showed him the blue of the hills, And the blue of the sky, And the blue of the beautiful bay Where the ferry-boats ply; And "How do you like our climate? " Securely asked I.
Then the wind blew over the sand, And the fog came down, And the papers and dust were on hand All over the town. "How do you like our climate? " I cried with a frown.
On the corner we stood as we met Awaiting a car; Beneath us a vent-hole was set, As our street corners are- And street corners in our San Francisco Are perceptible far.
What this Textopian page supports
Our San Francisco Climate is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary, Climate
- Length: 289 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Our San Francisco Climate 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 Our San Francisco Climate?
- How does this short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- An Unusual Rain by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Progress by Charles Kingsley
- The March by C. J. Dennis
- On The Pawtuxet by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Human Soot by Charles Kingsley
- A Village Conflict by Robert Graves
Genres
- Fiction — Charlotte Perkins Gilman is known for her works in fiction which give this book the likelihood to also be a work of fiction.
- Historical Fiction — If the book is dealing with historical events or time periods related to San Francisco, it could be classified as historical fiction.
- Social Commentary — Given that Gilman's works often critique social conditions, especially those related to women, it could be speculated that this book might also do the same.
- Climate — Based on the title of the book, it is likely that climate or environment of San Francisco is a major topic, leading the book to be classified in this genre.
Tags
climate · San Francisco · environment · urban studies · sociology · ecology · weather patterns · city life · social commentary · feminism · progressivism · nature