In My Pillow
In My Pillow is a collection of short stories by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, published in 1925. The stories are set in rural Kentucky and explore the lives of the people living there. The stories focus on the struggles of the characters, as they try to make sense of their lives and the world around them. The stories are often sad and melancholic, but also full of hope and beauty. The stories explore themes of love, loss, faith, and family. The characters are often struggling with their own inner demons, as well as the external forces of poverty, racism, and sexism. The stories are often told from the perspective of the women in the stories, as they try to make sense of their lives and the world around them. The stories are often lyrical and poetic, and Roberts' writing style is often compared to that of William Faulkner. The stories are often filled with symbolism and imagery, and the characters are often complex and multi-dimensional. In My Pillow is a powerful and moving collection of stories that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading.
By Elizabeth Madox Roberts · First published 1922 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Historical Fiction, Realism · 158 words
First lines
When Mother or Father turns down the light, I like to look into my pillow at night.
Some people call them dreams, but for me They are things I look down in my pillow and see.
I saw some birds, as many as four, That were all blue wings and nothing else more.
Without any head and without any feet, Just blue wings flying over a street.
What this Textopian page supports
In My Pillow is listed on Textopian as a short story by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, dated 1922 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Southern Gothic, Historical Fiction, Realism, Romance
- Length: 158 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In My Pillow by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- 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 In My Pillow?
- How does this short story by Elizabeth Madox Roberts fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Southern Gothic first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Firefly by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Mr Wells by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Little Bush by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- The Pilaster by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- August Night by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- My Heart by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
Genres
- Southern Gothic — The book is set in the rural South and explores themes of death, decay, and the supernatural, which are all common elements of Southern Gothic literature.
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in the early 20th century and includes references to historical events and figures, making it a work of historical fiction.
- Realism — The book is written in a realistic style, focusing on the everyday lives of its characters and their struggles with poverty and illness.
- Romance — The book includes a romantic subplot between two of its characters, making it a work of romance.
Tags
American · American poetry · Children's poetry · birds · blue · bowl · brown · children's poetry, american · coming · dreams · father · feel