Confession by Hervey Allen (1925)
The novel revolves around the life of a young man who returns to his hometown after serving in World War I and becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships with various women, including a beautiful but troubled woman and her sister. As he navigates these relationships, he grapples with feelings of guilt, shame, and redemption, ultimately leading him to confront the darker aspects of human nature. The novel explores themes of love, morality, and the search for meaning in a post-war world, raising questions about the nature of truth and the consequences of one's actions.
By Hervey Allen · First published 1925 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 253 words
First lines
I think, by God! It is no lie; I shall go dreaming till I die!
There is no love so real to me As the cold passion of the sea.
There is no little, wind-swept town By harbors where the roads go down, Or headland gray that sits and sips The cup of ocean at its lips, And gazes at the far-off ships -- Or tree or house or friend so real As visions and the dreams I feel.
No -- not the windy, vaultless arch Where all the white stars flame and march, Nor water at the river fords Like horses mad among the swords, Or oaks that lean from winter storms; These only give my vision forms.
What this Textopian page supports
Confession is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Hervey Allen
- Date: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Philosophical
- Length: 253 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Confession by Hervey Allen
- 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 Confession?
- How does this short story by Hervey Allen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Seasons by Hervey Allen
- A Bells Biography by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Leopold Duke Of Brunswick by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- The First And Last by Ameen Rihani
- She Cannot End by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- First Loss by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and vivid imagery.
- Romanticism — The themes emphasize emotion, nature, and individualism, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Symbolism — The use of symbolic imagery, such as the sea and dreams, conveys deeper meanings beyond the literal.
- Philosophical — The text explores existential themes and the nature of reality versus dreams.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Literary Novel · American Literature · Coming-of-Age Story · Autobiographical Elements · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Family Dynamics · Love Triangle · Moral Ambiguity · Self-Discovery · Identity Crisis