The Mask of Apollo by George William Russell
The Mask of Apollo is a novel by George William Russell that tells the story of an Irish poet named John O'Neill who travels to Greece in search of inspiration. Along the way, he meets various characters and experiences different cultures, all while struggling with his own personal demons. The book explores themes of identity, creativity, and spirituality through its vivid descriptions of Greek landscapes and mythology.
By George William Russell · First published 1930 · Genre: Mythological Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Pastoral · 1,473 words
First lines
A tradition rises within me of quiet, unarmored years, ages before the demigods and heroes toiled at the making of Greece, long ages before the building of the temples and sparkling palaces of her day of glory. The land was pastoral, and over all the woods hung a stillness as of dawn and of unawakened beauty deep breathing in rest. Here and there little villages sent up their smoke and a dreamy people moved about. They grew up, toiled a little at their fields, followed their sheep and goats, wedded, and gray age overtook them, but they never ceased to be children. They worshipped the gods in little wooden temples, with ancient rites forgotten in later years.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mask of Apollo is listed on Textopian as a short story by George William Russell, dated 1930 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: George William Russell
- Date: 1930 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mythological Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Pastoral, Fantasy, Allegory
- Length: 1,473 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mask of Apollo by George William Russell
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Mythological Fiction — The narrative involves gods and mythological figures, particularly Apollo, interacting with humans, which is central to the plot and themes.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores philosophical themes such as the nature of divinity, love, and the human condition through dialogues and reflections.
- Pastoral — The setting is a pastoral landscape with a focus on rural life, nature, and simplicity, which is integral to the atmosphere and themes.
- Fantasy — Elements of fantasy are present through the depiction of gods and magical occurrences, contributing to the narrative style.
Tags
philosophy · theater · mythology · art · identity · drama · spirituality · history · Greek culture · self-discovery · existentialism · imagination