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: Fairly Easy (7th 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
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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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