The House of Beauty
The House of Beauty is a novel written by Francis Sherman that tells the story of a young woman named Lily who inherits an old house in the countryside. As she begins to restore the property, she discovers secrets about her family's past and learns valuable lessons about love, loss, and self-discovery. The book is a poignant exploration of human relationships and the power of forgiveness.
By Francis Sherman · First published 1920 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Classical Allusion · 158 words
First lines
She pauseth; and as each great mirror swings (O ruined Helen, O once golden hair) I see OEnone's ashes scattered there.
Another, and, behold, the shadowed things Are violated tombs of shrunken kings.
And yet another (O, how thou wert fair! ), And I see one, black-clad, who prayeth where No sound of sword on cloven helmet rings.
Yet, were I Paris, once more should I see Troy's seaward gates for us swung open wide.
What this Textopian page supports
The House of Beauty is listed on Textopian as a poem by Francis Sherman, dated 1920 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: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Classical Allusion, Historical Fiction, Elegy
- Length: 158 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The House of Beauty by Francis Sherman
- 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 House of Beauty?
- How does this poem by Francis Sherman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Woman That Lifted Up Her Voice by George Macdonald
- The Remittance Man by Ambrose Pratt
- Maame Pelagie by Kate Chopin
- Hepaticas by Anne Douglas Sedgwick
- The Weavers Book 3 by Gilbert Parker
- Dolly by Gilbert Parker
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, beauty, and historical references to romantic figures are prevalent.
- Classical Allusion — References to classical figures such as Helen, OEnone, Paris, and Anthony are central to the text.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative includes historical and mythological settings and characters.
Tags
beauty · identity · self-discovery · relationships · family · culture · society · art · feminism · struggle · empowerment · urban life