Seance at Sunrise by Hervey Allen
The novel revolves around a group of people who gather for a seance at an isolated mansion on the outskirts of town. The main character, a young woman, becomes increasingly entangled in a web of deceit and supernatural occurrences that threaten to destroy her life. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that each member of the group has their own dark secrets and motivations, which are slowly revealed through a series of eerie and unsettling events. The novel explores themes of love, death, and the supernatural, raising questions about the nature of reality and the power of human imagination.
By Hervey Allen · First published 1934 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Supernatural · 583 words
First lines
Place the new hands In the old hands Of the old generation, And let us tilt tables In the high room Of our imagination.
Let the thick veil glow thin, At sunrise -- at sunrise -- Let the strange eyes peer in, The red, the black, and the white faces Of the still living dead Of the three races.
What this Textopian page supports
Seance at Sunrise is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Hervey Allen
- Date: 1934 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Supernatural, Cultural, Philosophical
- Length: 583 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Seance at Sunrise by Hervey Allen
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Historical — The text references historical elements such as Native American culture, slavery, and plantation life.
- Supernatural — The theme of a séance and the presence of spirits and prophecy suggest supernatural elements.
- Cultural — The work explores cultural identities and voices from different racial backgrounds.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Literary Novel · American Literature · Southern Gothic · Mystery · Thriller · Psychological Drama · Family Saga · Coming of Age · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Racial Tensions