To Labor by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The work emphasizes the vital role of labor in shaping society and the world. It addresses the laborers directly, urging them to recognize their immense power and responsibility. The text highlights that those who feed, clothe, and house the world are the backbone of civilization, and it calls for unity among workers to assert their influence. The message is one of empowerment, encouraging individuals to rise up, harness their strength, and take action for justice and change. It stresses that the fate of the world is in their hands, and they must act with conviction and courage. The work serves as a rallying cry for laborers to acknowledge their worth and the impact of their collective efforts on society. It advocates for a proactive stance, urging workers to believe in their capabilities and to strive for a better future through solidarity and determination. The tone is assertive, inspiring a sense of urgency and purpose among those who labor, reinforcing the idea that their contributions are essential to the world's progress and well-being.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1890 · Genre: Feminist Literature, Social Commentary, Non-Fiction · 212 words
First lines
Shall you complain who feed the world? Who clothe the world? Who house the world? Shall you complain who are the world, Of what the world may do? As from this hour You use your power, The world must follow you!
The world's life hangs on your right hand! Your strong right hand! Your skilled right hand! You hold the whole world in your hand. See to it what you do! Or dark or light, Or wrong or right, The world is made by you!
Then rise as you never rose before! Nor hoped before! Nor dared before! And show as was never shown before, The power that lies in you! Stand all as one! See justice done! Believe, and Dare, and Do!
What this Textopian page supports
To Labor 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: Feminist Literature, Social Commentary, Non-Fiction, Sociology
- Length: 212 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To Labor 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 To Labor?
- How does this essay by Charlotte Perkins Gilman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Feminist Literature first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Feminist Literature — The book focuses on themes around the role of women in society, labor, and economic independence, all central themes in feminist literature.
- Social Commentary — Charlotte Perkins Gilman uses this book as a medium to critique social norms and values during her time, it can hence be categorized under social commentary.
- Non-Fiction — The book addresses real societal issues and discusses them factually, making it non-fiction.
- Sociology — The book tackles sociological themes around women's rights and societal roles, which skirts with aspects of sociology.
Tags
feminism · labor · gender roles · women's rights · social critique · workplace · economic independence · domestic life · identity · self-discovery · patriarchy · inequality