The Keeper of the Light
The Keeper of the Light is a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, first published in 1890. The story follows a young woman named Jane who is sent to a secluded coastal town for her health. While there, she becomes obsessed with a mysterious light that she sees at night, and her obsession begins to consume her. What is your question or request regarding this book?
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1890 · Genre: Fiction, Feminist Literature, Social Critique · 238 words
First lines
A lighthouse keeper with a loving heart Toiled at his service in the lonely tower, Keeping his giant lenses clear and bright, And feeding with pure oil the precious light Whose power to save was as his own heart's power.
He loved his kind, and being set alone To help them by the means of this great light, He poured his whole heart's service into it, And sent his love down the long beams that lit The waste of broken water in the night.
He loved his kind, and joyed to see the ships Come out of nowhere into his bright field, And glide by safely with their living men, Past him and out into the dark again, To other hands their freight of joy to yield.
What this Textopian page supports
The Keeper of the Light is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Feminist Literature, Social Critique
- Length: 238 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Keeper of the Light 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 The Keeper of the Light?
- 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
- Resolve by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Old Time Wail by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Seeking by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Ship by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- A Moonrise by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Hills by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Genres
- Fiction — Charlotte Perkins Gilman typically wrote fiction, and 'THE KEEPER OF THE LIGHT' would fall under this broad genre based on her writing style and themes.
- Feminist Literature — Gilman is known for her feminist viewpoints and themes, often integrating them into her works. 'THE KEEPER OF THE LIGHT' would likely contain elements of this genre.
- Social Critique — A common theme in Gilman’s work, 'THE KEEPER OF THE LIGHT' may also contain criticism of societal norms or injustices, placing it under this genre.
Tags
light · keeper · isolation · feminism · identity · self-discovery · nature · symbolism · mental health · society · gender roles · independence