Wings by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
WINGS, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: The story follows a young woman named Lucille who, after being confined to her room for several days, begins to feel a strange sensation in her body. She experiences a sudden and intense desire to fly, which she eventually gives in to. As she soars through the air, she realizes that she has been freed from the constraints of her physical body and is now able to experience the world in a new and liberating way. However, the story also explores the darker side of this freedom, as Lucille begins to feel disconnected from her own identity and struggles to reconcile her newfound abilities with her former life on earth. Ultimately, the story raises questions about the nature of identity and the limits of human potential, suggesting that true freedom may require a willingness to embrace both the exhilaration and the terror of the unknown.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1898 · Genre: Short Stories, Feminist Literature, Speculative Fiction · 360 words
First lines
A sense of wings- Soft downy wings and fair- Great wings that whistle as they sweep Along the still gulfs-empty, deep- Of thin blue air.
Doves' wings that follow, Doves' wings that fold, Doves' wings that flutter down To nestle in your hold.
What this Textopian page supports
Wings is listed on Textopian as a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Feminist Literature, Speculative Fiction, Utopian and Dystopian Fiction, Social Criticism
- Length: 360 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Wings by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Wings?
- How does this short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- An Obstacle by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- What Then by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- A Moonrise by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Crux by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Little Cell by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- The Pastellette by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Genres
- Short Stories — The book 'WINGS' is a compilation of short stories, each with its unique plot and characters.
- Feminist Literature — Charlotte Perkins Gilman is known for her feminist themes and ideas, which are present in this book.
- Speculative Fiction — Similar to other works by Gilman, 'WINGS' often explores unconventional ideas and settings.
- Utopian and Dystopian Fiction — Some of the stories in 'WINGS' depict ideal societies or societies with major flaws, hence falling in this category.
Tags
feminism · identity · self-discovery · freedom · oppression · society · gender roles · mental health · imagination · transformation · nature · escape