The Observers by Gilbert Frankau
The Observers is a novel by Gilbert Frankau that follows the lives of two families during World War I and its aftermath. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the impact of war on individuals and society as a whole.
By Gilbert Frankau · First published 1938 · Genre: War Poetry, Historical Fiction, Military Fiction · 499 words
First lines
Ere the last light that leaps the night has hung and shone and died, While yet the breast-high fog of dawn is swathed about the plain, By hedge and track our slaves go back, the waning stars for guide, Eyes of our mouths; the mists have cleared, the guns would speak again!
Faint on the ears that strain to hear, their orders trickle down "Degrees -- twelve -- left of zero line -- corrector one three eight -- Three thousand. ". Shift our trails and lift the muzzles that shall drown The rifle's idle chatter when our sendings detonate.
What this Textopian page supports
The Observers is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gilbert Frankau, dated 1938 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Gilbert Frankau
- Date: 1938 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: War Poetry, Historical Fiction, Military Fiction, Lyric Poetry
- Length: 499 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Observers by Gilbert Frankau
- 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 Observers?
- How does this short story by Gilbert Frankau fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does War Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- War Poetry — The text is a poem that vividly describes the experiences and duties of military observers during wartime, focusing on themes of war, duty, and sacrifice.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context are rooted in historical wartime events, providing a fictionalized account of military operations and the roles of observers.
- Military Fiction — The narrative centers on military operations, tactics, and the lives of soldiers, emphasizing the technical and strategic aspects of warfare.
- Lyric Poetry — The text employs a lyrical style with rhythmic and emotive language, focusing on the inner thoughts and feelings of the observers.
Tags
observation · society · human behavior · relationships · psychology · narrative · drama · conflict · perception · truth · identity · social commentary