Death-in-Life by Ellen Glasgow
The novel explores the decline of the aristocracy in post-Civil War Virginia through the story of a family's struggle to maintain their social status and way of life. The protagonist, a sensitive and intelligent woman, navigates her family's downfall and her own disillusionment with the societal norms that have governed her life. Through her experiences, the novel examines themes of decay, nostalgia, and the loss of traditional values in the face of modernity and social change.
By Ellen Glasgow · First published 1919 · Genre: Gothic, Romantic, Horror · 542 words
First lines
When the blasts beat loud and the tempests shriek, / And the winds are smote as the chords of a lyre, / I curtain the cold where the corners leak, / Tossing the logs till the flames leap higher, / As I sit on the hearth while the rafters creak, / Feeding the fangs of the hungry fire. / (_Hark! 'tis a child on the howling plain! _ / _Nay, the fir-tree's tap on the window pane._)
What this Textopian page supports
Death-in-Life is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ellen Glasgow, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ellen Glasgow
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic, Romantic, Horror, Symbolist, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 542 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Death-in-Life by Ellen Glasgow
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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- Mary by Ellen Glasgow
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- An Autumn Sunset by Edith Wharton
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Genres
- Gothic — The poem features dark, eerie themes, supernatural elements, and a melancholic tone.
- Romantic — The poem explores deep emotions, the concept of eternal love, and the union of life and death.
- Horror — The imagery of death, decay, and the supernatural presence creates a sense of fear and dread.
- Symbolist — The poem uses symbolic language and imagery to convey deeper meanings about life, death, and love.
Tags
Southern Gothic · Family Drama · Tragic Love Story · Social Class · Rural Life · Virginia Setting · Early 20th Century · Feminist Themes · Women's Roles · Marriage and Divorce · Mental Health · Grief and Mourning