Eclipse by Hervey Allen (1934)
The novel is a historical epic that spans several centuries and continents. It begins with the story of a young man who flees his home after being accused of murder. He travels to Europe where he becomes embroiled in the intrigue of royal courts. As the narrative unfolds, it shifts between different time periods and locations, including ancient Greece, Rome, and the Middle East. The protagonist's descendants are woven into various historical events, often influencing the course of history. Throughout the novel, themes of love, power, and redemption are explored through the lives of multiple characters. Their stories intersect and overlap in complex ways, reflecting the interconnectedness of human experience. The narrative is characterized by its use of symbolism, with recurring motifs such as the sun and moon representing opposing forces. The title "Eclipse" refers to the temporary obscuration of one celestial body by another, symbolizing the way in which individual lives are shaped by larger historical events. Ultimately, the novel presents a sweeping vision of human history, highlighting both the grandeur and the fragility of human existence.
By Hervey Allen · First published 1934 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Social Commentary · 253 words
First lines
Once melodies of street-cries washed these walls, Glad as the refluent song Of cheerful waters from a happy spring That shout their way along; Such cries were born in other days from lips A spirit taught to sing. Now it is gone!
Memory expects those hymns for shrimp and prawn, Or the mellifluous chaunt from the black gorge Of Orpheus inside a murky skin, Who looked the gold sun in the eye While garden mists grew thin, And intoned "_Hoppin' John_!"
As when the shadow of the gray eclipse Haggards the countryside, When moon-fooled birds have nothing more to say, And soft untimely bats begin to slide; As darkness sweeps the morning light away, So silence brushes music now from lips.
What this Textopian page supports
Eclipse is listed on Textopian as a novel by Hervey Allen, dated 1934 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: 1934 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernist, Social Commentary, Lyrical
- Length: 253 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Eclipse by Hervey Allen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Eclipse?
- How does this novel by Hervey Allen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Modernist — The themes of disillusionment and the decline of traditional values align with modernist concerns.
- Social Commentary — The work reflects on societal changes and the loss of cultural practices, indicating a critique of contemporary society.
- Lyrical — The expressive and emotive language used throughout the text is characteristic of lyrical writing.
Tags
Historical Fiction · War Novel · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Epic Story · Coming of Age · Family Saga · Social Commentary · Realism · Literary Fiction · Classic Novel · American Experience