Unavailing by Gilbert Parker (1894)

Name: Unavailing
Author: Gilbert Parker

The novel Unavailing by Gilbert Parker tells the story of a young man named John who struggles to find his place in society after returning from war. He becomes involved with a group of radicals and falls in love with a woman named Mary, but their relationship is complicated by his own inner turmoil and the political climate of the time. The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in life.

By Gilbert Parker · First published 1894 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Romantic · 157 words

First lines

"Never," you said, "never this side the grave, And what shall come hereafter, who may know?

Whether we e'en shall guess the way we go, Passing beneath Death's mystic architrave

Silence or song, dumb sleep or cheerful hours?"

O lady, you have questioned, answer too.

What this Textopian page supports

Unavailing is listed on Textopian as a poem by Gilbert Parker, dated 1894 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Gilbert Parker
Date: 1894 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Romantic, Mystery
Length: 157 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions about life, death, and the afterlife, which are central to philosophical inquiry.
Romantic — The use of emotive language and the exploration of profound personal feelings suggest elements of romanticism.
Mystery — The text hints at the unknown aspects of death and the afterlife, creating an air of mystery.