The Freeman by Ellen Glasgow (1924)
The story revolves around a young woman named Laura who returns to her family's ancestral home in Virginia after the Civil War. She finds the once-grand estate in disrepair and the family struggling financially. Laura decides to take matters into her own hands, using her business acumen to restore the estate to its former glory. Through her efforts, she attracts the attention of a wealthy businessman, but ultimately chooses to marry a man from a lower social class who shares her values. The novel explores themes of feminism, class, and social change in the post-Civil War era.
By Ellen Glasgow · First published 1924 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Literary · 224 words
First lines
"_Hope is a slave, Despair is a freeman_"
A vagabond between the East and West, Careless I greet the scourging and the rod; I fear no terror any man may bring, Nor any god.
The clankless chains that bound me I have rent No more a slave to hope I cringe or cry; Captives to Fate, men rear their prison walls, But free am I.
I tread where arrows press upon my path, I smile to see the danger and the dart; My breast is bared to meet the slings of hate, But not my heart.
What this Textopian page supports
The Freeman is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ellen Glasgow, dated 1924 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: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Literary, Inspirational
- Length: 224 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Freeman by Ellen Glasgow
- 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 The Freeman?
- How does this poem by Ellen Glasgow fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured as a poem with a clear rhythmic and thematic composition.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential concepts such as freedom, despair, and defiance against fate.
- Literary — The writing style is sophisticated and employs literary devices to convey deeper meanings.
- Inspirational — The poem's message encourages resilience and self-reliance in the face of adversity.
Tags
Romance · Historical Fiction · American Literature · Southern Gothic · Family Saga · Social Class · Wealth · Power Dynamics · Marriage · Love Triangle · Tragedy · Drama