At the Play by Gilbert Parker (1897)

Name: At the Play
Author: Gilbert Parker

The story follows the life of a young man named John who grows up in a small town and dreams of becoming an actor. He eventually moves to London and becomes successful, but his success comes at a cost. The novel explores themes of ambition, love, and sacrifice.

By Gilbert Parker · First published 1897 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Drama · 152 words

First lines

I felt her fan my shoulder touch to-night.

Soft act, faint touch, no meaning did it bear To any save myself, who felt the air Of a new feeling cross my soul's clear sight.

To me what matter that the players played!

They grew upon the instant like the toys Which dance before the sight of idle boys; I could not hear the laughter that they made.

What this Textopian page supports

At the Play is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gilbert Parker, dated 1897 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 Parker
Date: 1897 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romance, Drama
Length: 152 words
Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for At the Play by Gilbert Parker
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering At the Play?
How does this short story by Gilbert Parker fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
Romance — The theme revolves around romantic feelings and emotional experiences, as indicated by the personal and intimate reflections of the narrator.
Drama — The setting involves a theatrical play, and the narrative explores dramatic elements through the interaction between the narrator and the environment.