Mother by Gilbert Parker (1905)

Name: Mother
Author: Gilbert Parker

The novel Mother, written by Gilbert Parker, tells the story of a young woman named Mary who struggles to raise her children in the harsh conditions of rural Canada during the late nineteenth century. The book explores themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and resilience as Mary faces numerous challenges including poverty, illness, and the death of loved ones. Despite these hardships, she remains determined to provide a better life for her children and ultimately succeeds in achieving her goals.

By Gilbert Parker · First published 1905 · Genre: Poetry, Inspirational, Drama · 169 words

First lines

She gave me courage when I weakly said, "O see how drifting, derelict, am I!

The tide runs counter, and the wind is high; I see no channel through the rocks ahead.

My arm is impotent; what worth to trim The bending sails! Look, I shall quaff a cup To Fate, while the wild ocean swallows up The shipwrecked youth, the man who lives in him."

She said: "But thou hast valour, dear, too much For such as this; thou hast grave embassy, Given with thy birth; would'st thou thine honour smutch

What this Textopian page supports

Mother is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gilbert Parker, dated 1905 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: 1905 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Inspirational, Drama
Length: 169 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Mother 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 Mother?
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.
Inspirational — The themes revolve around encouragement, courage, and overcoming adversity, which are central to inspirational literature.
Drama — The emotional intensity and personal conflict suggest elements of drama, focusing on internal and external struggles.