Bacchus is Gone by Hervey Allen
The novel revolves around the life of a young American expatriate living in Paris during the 1920s and 1930s. The protagonist's experiences are shaped by his relationships with various individuals, including a woman who becomes his lover. As the story unfolds, it explores themes of love, loss, and disillusionment. The protagonist grapples with the consequences of his actions and the emptiness that follows his pursuit of pleasure and hedonism. Throughout the novel, the author critiques the excesses of modern society and the superficiality of the expatriate community in Paris. The narrative is characterized by a sense of melancholy and introspection, as the protagonist struggles to find meaning and purpose in his life. The novel's title, "Bacchus is Gone," suggests that the era of unbridled hedonism and excess has come to an end, and that the protagonist must confront the consequences of his actions.
By Hervey Allen · First published 1936 · Genre: Poetry, Mythology, Elegy · 291 words
First lines
_Bacchus is gone_!
I saw him leave the shore Upon a moonless time, _And he is gone -- is gone -- _ Forevermore.
I saw the satyrs and the bacchanals -- _Bacchus is gone -- is gone -- _ With smoking torches as at funerals Light him across the sea at dawn.
I saw the whimpering pards Where he had passed -- _Bacchus is gone -- is gone -- _ Sniff to the water's edge, Where purple stained, his footprints led -- I heard the Goat-foot whisper in the hedge, "_Bacchus is dead -- is dead,_"
What this Textopian page supports
Bacchus is Gone is listed on Textopian as a novel by Hervey Allen, dated 1936 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: 1936 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Mythology, Elegy, Pastoral, Romanticism
- Length: 291 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Bacchus is Gone by Hervey Allen
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery.
- Mythology — The poem references Bacchus, a figure from Roman mythology, and incorporates mythological themes and characters.
- Elegy — The poem laments the departure of Bacchus, expressing themes of loss and mourning.
- Pastoral — The imagery includes natural elements and settings, typical of pastoral themes.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Literary Novel · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Coming-of-Age Story · Family Saga · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Rural Life · Small Town America · Nostalgia · Memory and Identity