Aftermath by Hervey Allen (1925)
The novel is a historical fiction account of the aftermath of World War I. It follows the lives of several characters, including a young American officer and his wife, as they navigate the devastation and disillusionment of post-war Europe. The story explores themes of love, loss, and redemption in the face of war's destruction. The characters struggle to come to terms with their experiences and find meaning in a world that has been forever changed by the conflict. Through its portrayal of the human cost of war, the novel critiques the romanticized notions of heroism and patriotism that often accompany military conflicts. Instead, it presents a nuanced and realistic depiction of the psychological and emotional toll of war on individuals and society as a whole. The narrative is characterized by a sense of melancholy and introspection, reflecting the mood of disillusionment and despair that pervaded Europe in the aftermath of World War I.
By Hervey Allen · First published 1925 · Genre: Poetry, War Literature, Psychological Fiction · 208 words
First lines
Under the placid surface of the days So seeming clear, Back of the habits of old ways, A quiet fear; The locked-up memories of war, Our Bluebeard's room, Where the blood creeps underneath the door.
Never will come In streams of days that ring Like clean coins down the merry grooves of change, One without grief's alloy, Struck from pure gold of joy, Undimmed by unshed tears, Nor is it strange.
For in the wraith-thronged brain Are private ghosts of pain, Aloof, like patient sick men in a crowd With half-veiled faces and old sorrow bowed -- Ah! The free days can never come again!
What this Textopian page supports
Aftermath is listed on Textopian as a novel by Hervey Allen, dated 1925 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Hervey Allen
- Date: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, War Literature, Psychological Fiction, Modernist Literature
- Length: 208 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- War Literature — The themes and imagery are heavily influenced by the aftermath of war, reflecting on its impact and memories.
- Psychological Fiction — The text explores internal fears and memories, focusing on the psychological effects of past experiences.
- Modernist Literature — The style and themes align with modernist concerns, such as the fragmentation of experience and the impact of historical events on the individual.
Tags
Historical Fiction · War Novel · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Novel of the American Civil War · Southern Gothic · Coming-of-Age Story · Family Saga · Social Commentary · Realism · Psychological Insight · Character Study