The Song of the Red-Edged Steel
The Song of the Red-Edged Steel is a novel by Gilbert Frankau that tells the story of a young man named John who joins the British Army during World War I. The book follows his experiences on the battlefield and his struggles with PTSD after returning home. It explores themes of war, trauma, and the human condition.
By Gilbert Frankau · First published 1928 · Genre: War Poetry, Historical Fiction, Epic Poetry · 624 words
First lines
_Below your black priest's heaven, Above his tinselled hell, Beyond the Circles Seven, The Red-Steel Killers dwell -- The men who drave, to blade-ring home, behind the marching shell._
We knew not good nor evil, Save only right of blade; Yet neither god nor devil Could hold us from our trade, When once we watched the barrage lift, and splendidly afraid
What this Textopian page supports
The Song of the Red-Edged Steel is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gilbert Frankau, dated 1928 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: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: War Poetry, Historical Fiction, Epic Poetry, Tragedy, Adventure
- Length: 624 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Song of the Red-Edged Steel 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 Song of the Red-Edged Steel?
- How does this novel by Gilbert Frankau fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does War Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Deliverer by Gilbert Parker
- Jim Maitland by Herman Cyril Mcneile
- The Valley Of The Shadow by Rudyard Kipling
- The Sealing by Gilbert Parker
- The Ordeal by Rafael Sabatini
Genres
- War Poetry — The text vividly describes the experiences and emotions of soldiers in battle, focusing on themes of violence, death, and the chaos of war.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against the backdrop of a historical war, likely World War I, and incorporates realistic details of the time period.
- Epic Poetry — The structure and style of the text, with its rhythmic and grandiose language, align with the conventions of epic poetry.
- Tragedy — The themes of inevitable death, loss, and the futility of war contribute to a tragic tone throughout the work.
Tags
adventure · mystery · historical · drama · romance · conflict · betrayal · courage · identity · exploration · friendship · sacrifice