To the Preacher
TO THE PREACHER: A young woman, isolated and alone, confined to a room with no windows. A preacher, representing societal expectations and norms, enters the room and begins to lecture her on her sinful nature and the need for repentance. The woman, however, is not interested in his words and instead sees him as a symbol of oppression and control. She rejects his message and asserts her own agency and autonomy.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1893 · Genre: Poetry, Religion & Spirituality, American Literature · 316 words
First lines
Preach about yesterday, Preacher! The time so far away: When the hand of Deity smote and slew, And the heathen plagued the stiff-necked Jew; Or when the Man of Sorrows came, And blessed the people who cursed his name- Preach about yesterday, Preacher! Not about to-day!
Preach about to-morrow, Preacher! Beyond this world's decay: Of the sheepfold Paradise we priced When we pinned our faith to Jesus Christ; Of those hot depths that shall receive The goats who would not so believe- Preach about to-morrow, Preacher, Not about to-day!
What this Textopian page supports
To the Preacher is listed on Textopian as an essay by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religion & Spirituality, American Literature, Feminist Literature
- Length: 316 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To the Preacher by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The book is a collection of poems by the author, hence falling directly under this genre.
- Religion & Spirituality — The book consist of poems generally centered around spiritual subjects, making this genre significant.
- American Literature — The author, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, is an American author and this body of work contributes to American Literature.
- Feminist Literature — Gilman was known for her feminist stance, and her poems often reflect themes of women's rights and their role in society.
Tags
feminism · religion · gender roles · society · critique · patriarchy · women's rights · spirituality · social commentary · identity · empowerment · literary analysis