At the Gate by Francis Sherman
"At the Gate" by Francis Sherman is a novel that explores themes of identity, belonging and family dynamics. The story follows the lives of three generations of women living in a small town in Canada. Through their experiences, readers gain insight into the complexities of human relationships and the struggles faced by those who feel like outsiders in their own communities.
By Francis Sherman · First published 1924 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Spiritual · 194 words
First lines
Swing open wide, O Gate, That I may enter in And see what lies in wait For me who have been born!
Her word I only scorn Who spake of death and sin.
I know what is behind Your heavy brazen bars; I heard it of the wind Where I dwelt yesterday: The wind that blows alway Among the ancient stars.
Life is the chiefest thing The wind brought knowledge of, As it passed, murmuring: Life, with its infinite strength, And undiminished length Of years fulfilled with love.
What this Textopian page supports
At the Gate is listed on Textopian as a poem by Francis Sherman, 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: Francis Sherman
- Date: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Spiritual, Symbolism, Romanticism
- Length: 194 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At the Gate by Francis Sherman
- 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 At the Gate?
- How does this poem by Francis Sherman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter.
- Philosophical — Themes of life, death, and existential contemplation are central to the work.
- Spiritual — The work explores metaphysical concepts and the human soul's journey.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols such as the gate and wind to convey deeper meanings is prominent.
Tags
literature · fiction · drama · relationships · conflict · identity · self-discovery · family · coming-of-age · emotional · narrative · character-driven