With the Eyes Shut by Edward Bellamy
The Eyes Shut is a novel by Edward Bellamy, first published in 1891. It tells the story of a young man, John, who is struggling to make sense of his life. He is a dreamer, and his dreams often take him to strange and wonderful places. He is also a loner, and his loneliness leads him to seek solace in the world of books. John's life is changed when he meets a mysterious woman, who introduces him to a world of secrets and hidden knowledge. She teaches him how to use his dreams to explore the unknown, and how to use his imagination to create a better life for himself. John's journey takes him to the depths of his own mind, and he discovers a world of beauty and wonder. He also learns the power of love, and how it can help him to overcome his fears and doubts. In the end, John finds the courage to face his fears and to embrace the life he has been given.
By Edward Bellamy · First published 1897 · Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction · 7,630 words
First lines
RAILROAD rides are naturally tiresome to persons who cannot read on the cars, and, being one of those unfortunates, I resigned myself, on taking my seat in the train, to several hours of tedium, alleviated only by such cat-naps as I might achieve. Partly on account of my infirmity, though more on account of a taste for rural quiet and retirement, my railroad journeys are few and far between. Strange as the statement may seem in days like these, it had actually been five years since I had been on an express train of a trunk line. Now, as every one knows, the improvements in the conveniences of the best equipped trains have in that period been very great, and for a considerable time I found myself amply entertained in taking note first of one ingenious device and then of another, and wondering what would come next. At the end of the first hour, however, I was pleased to find that I was growing comfortably drowsy, and proceeded to compose myself for a nap, which I hoped might last to my destination.
What this Textopian page supports
With the Eyes Shut is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edward Bellamy, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edward Bellamy
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Drama
- Length: 7,630 words
- Structure: 1 section, 236 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for With the Eyes Shut by Edward Bellamy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- 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 With the Eyes Shut?
- How does this novel by Edward Bellamy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Phils Darling by Sylvanus Cobb Jr
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Genres
- Romance — The book follows the story of two people in love, and the obstacles they face in their relationship.
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in the late 19th century and follows the lives of two people in a specific time period.
- Realistic Fiction — The book follows the lives of two people in a realistic setting, and the events that take place are plausible.
- Drama — The book follows the lives of two people and the dramatic events that take place in their lives.
Tags
dystopia · utopia · socialism · political fiction · 19th century · American literature · visionary · reform · economic theory · future society · idealism · critique of capitalism