My Dreams Are of the Sea
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman who rejects the conventional societal norms and expectations imposed on her. She dreams of a life at sea, where she can be free and independent. The story explores themes of feminism, individuality, and the struggle for self-identity in a patriarchal society.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward · First published 1876 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 165 words
First lines
My dreams are of the Sea. / All night the living waters stepped / Stately and steadily. All night the wind / Conducted them. With forehead high, a rock, / Glittering with joy, stood to receive the shock / Of the flood-tide. I saw it in the mind / Of sleep and silence. When I woke, I wept.
My dreams are of the Sea. / But oh, it is the Sea of Glass! / I met that other tide as I desired. / Alone, the rock and I leaned to the wave, -- / A foolish suicide, that scooped its grave / Within the piteous sand. Now I am tired. / It died and it was buried. Let me pass.
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in a poetic form with a focus on imagery and rhythm.
- Literary Fiction — The themes and writing style suggest a focus on introspection and emotional depth.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative explores the inner thoughts and feelings of the protagonist.
- Symbolism — The use of the sea and rock as symbols to convey deeper meanings.
Tags
Maritime Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Novel · Sea Story · Romance · Family Drama · Social Class · Women's Rights · Feminist Literature · Historical Fiction · Sailing · Shipwreck
What this Textopian page supports
My Dreams Are of the Sea is listed on Textopian as a poem by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, dated 1876 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- Date: 1876 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Symbolism, Romanticism
- Length: 165 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for My Dreams Are of the Sea by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
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