The Face by Frederic Manning (1924)
The Face is a novel by Frederic Manning that tells the story of a young soldier's experiences during World War I. The book follows Private Bourne, an Australian soldier who enlists in the army and is sent to fight on the Western Front. Throughout the novel, Bourne struggles with the horrors of war and the psychological effects it has on him. He witnesses the death and destruction around him, and grapples with his own fear and uncertainty about what lies ahead. The Face is a powerful and moving portrayal of the human cost of war, and has been widely praised for its realism and emotional depth.
By Frederic Manning · First published 1924 · Genre: War Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Modernist Literature · 126 words
First lines
Out of the smoke of men's wrath, The red mist of anger, Suddenly, As a wraith of sleep, A boy's face, white and tense, Convulsed with terror and hate, The lips trembling.
Then a red smear, falling.
I thrust aside the cloud, as it were tangible, Blinded with a mist of blood.
The face cometh again As a wraith of sleep: A boy's face delicate and blonde, The very mask of God, Broken.
What this Textopian page supports
The Face is listed on Textopian as an essay by Frederic Manning, dated 1924 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Frederic Manning
- Date: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: War Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Modernist Literature, Poetry
- Length: 126 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Face by Frederic Manning
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Face?
- How does this essay by Frederic Manning fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does War Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Image Seller by Frederic Manning
- A Fragment Of Stained Glass by D. H. Lawrence
- The Observers by Gilbert Frankau
- Lemures Richard Aldington by D. H. Lawrence
- Who Goes Home by G. K. Chesterton
- Noon To Anita Focke by Frederic Manning
Genres
- War Fiction — The narrative centers around the experiences and emotions of individuals in a war setting, highlighting themes of conflict and its impact on human psyche.
- Psychological Fiction — The text delves into the inner turmoil and emotional states of characters, exploring fear, terror, and the psychological effects of war.
- Modernist Literature — The writing style and thematic focus on fragmented reality and subjective experience align with modernist literary techniques.
- Poetry — The use of poetic language, imagery, and structure suggests a strong influence of poetic form in the narrative.
Tags
identity · self-discovery · psychological · existentialism · human experience · relationships · introspection · conflict · society · alienation · memory · perception