The Shadow by Ellen Glasgow (1905)
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman named Angela Guinea, who returns to her family's old mansion in Virginia after being away for several years. She finds herself struggling with the dark secrets and tragedies that have haunted her family for generations. As she navigates her complicated relationships with her relatives, particularly her aunt and cousin, Angela uncovers hidden truths about their past, including a tragic love affair and a mysterious death. Through her journey, Angela comes to terms with her own identity and the shadows of her family's history that have shaped her life.
By Ellen Glasgow · First published 1905 · Genre: Gothic, Psychological Horror, Symbolism · 434 words
First lines
It has followed me for years, I have seen It slim and tall; When the day its distance wears, It has lengthened on the wall; Slanting black On my track, I have felt Its presence fall.
Oft I flee at break of day, But It races as I ride; Oft I seek to slink away, But It slouches at my side; Or It steals On my heels, As the bridegroom to the bride.
What this Textopian page supports
The Shadow is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ellen Glasgow, dated 1905 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: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic, Psychological Horror, Symbolism, Lyric Poetry, Dark Romanticism
- Length: 434 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Shadow by Ellen Glasgow
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Shadow?
- How does this poem by Ellen Glasgow fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Traveller by Ellen Glasgow
- The Shadowy Third by Ellen Glasgow
- To A Strange God by Ellen Glasgow
- The Hunter by Ellen Glasgow
- Parfait Amour by David Park Barnitz
- Reunion by Ellen Glasgow
Genres
- Gothic — The poem's dark, eerie atmosphere and themes of haunting and inevitable doom are characteristic of Gothic literature.
- Psychological Horror — The persistent presence of the shadow and the narrator's growing paranoia and fear align with psychological horror.
- Symbolism — The shadow serves as a symbol for an inescapable force or fate, a common element in symbolic literature.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem's structure, emotional intensity, and personal reflection are typical of lyric poetry.
Tags
Romance · Novel · American Literature · Southern Gothic · Family Drama · Social Class · Wealth · Power Dynamics · Marriage · Infidelity · Deception · Secrets