The Song of the Crashing Wing
The Song of the Crashing Wing is a novel by Gilbert Frankau that tells the story of a young man named John who becomes involved in the world of aviation during World War I. The book follows his journey from being an enthusiastic amateur pilot to becoming a skilled and experienced fighter ace, as he battles against both enemy aircraft and his own personal demons. Along the way, he falls in love with a beautiful woman named Mary, but their relationship is tested by the dangers of war and John's own reckless behavior. The book is known for its vivid descriptions of aerial combat and its exploration of themes such as courage, loyalty, and sacrifice.
By Gilbert Frankau · First published 1932 · Genre: War Poetry, Modernist Literature, Mythological References · 631 words
First lines
_Higher than tinselled heaven, Lower than angels dare, Loop to the fray, swoop on their prey, The Killers of the Air._
We scorned the Galilean, We mocked at Kingdom-Come: The old gods knew our pean -- Our dawn-loud engine-hum:
What this Textopian page supports
The Song of the Crashing Wing is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gilbert Frankau, dated 1932 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Gilbert Frankau
- Date: 1932 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: War Poetry, Modernist Literature, Mythological References, Anti-Religious Themes, Aviation Literature
- Length: 631 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Song of the Crashing Wing by Gilbert Frankau
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- War Poetry — The text is a poem that vividly describes aerial combat and the experience of war, focusing on themes of battle, death, and the dehumanizing aspects of warfare.
- Modernist Literature — The writing style and themes reflect modernist elements, such as a focus on the psychological impact of war and a break from traditional narrative forms.
- Mythological References — The poem includes references to mythological figures like Apollo, blending ancient mythology with modern warfare imagery.
- Anti-Religious Themes — The text contains anti-religious sentiments, mocking Christian beliefs and contrasting them with pagan gods of war.
Tags
war · poetry · nature · conflict · loss · identity · courage · resilience · human experience · emotion · survival · hope