Presences by Hervey Allen (1940)
The novel explores the lives of a group of people living in Pittsburgh during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It delves into themes of social class, industrialization, and personal relationships. The story revolves around the struggles of working-class individuals, including immigrants and laborers, as they navigate the challenges of urban life. The novel also examines the lives of the city's elite, highlighting their privilege and entitlement. Throughout the book, the author critiques the social and economic systems that perpetuate inequality and exploitation. He portrays a gritty, realistic portrayal of life in Pittsburgh during this period. The narrative is characterized by its use of multiple storylines and characters, which intersect and overlap throughout the novel. This structure allows for a nuanced exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the ways in which individuals are shaped by their social context. Ultimately, the novel presents a bleak view of the human condition, highlighting the struggles and hardships faced by many people during this period.
By Hervey Allen · First published 1940 · Genre: Historical Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Lyric Poetry · 467 words
First lines
Despise the garish presences that flaunt The obvious possession of today, To wear with me the spectacles that haunt The optic sense with wraiths of yesterday -- These cobbled shores through which the traffic streams Have been the stage-set of successive towns, Where coffined actors postured out their dreams, And harlot Folly changed her thousand gowns.
This corner-shop was Bull's Head Tavern, When names now dead on marble lived in clay; Its rooms were like a sanded cavern, Where candles made a sallow jest of day, And drovers' boots came grinding like a quern, While merchants drank their steaming cups of "tay."
What this Textopian page supports
Presences is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hervey Allen, dated 1940 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hervey Allen
- Date: 1940 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Imagist Poetry
- Length: 467 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Presences 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 Presences?
- How does this poem by Hervey Allen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Poetry — The poem vividly evokes historical settings and figures, using rich imagery to transport the reader to past eras.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story through its verses, detailing events and characters from history in a narrative form.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on the passage of time and historical change.
- Imagist Poetry — The poem employs precise imagery and clear, sharp language to create vivid pictures of historical scenes.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Literary Novel · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Coming-of-Age Story · Family Saga · Social Commentary · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Philosophical Themes · Existentialism · Human Condition