The Blockade Runner by Hervey Allen
The novel is set during the American Civil War and follows a blockade runner who smuggles goods into the Confederacy. The story explores themes of loyalty, duty, and the complexities of war. The protagonist's actions are driven by a desire to support his family and community, but he must navigate the moral implications of his work.
By Hervey Allen · First published 1937 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, War · 2,319 words
First lines
I. Three years!
Since I had seen the city, in the time / We waited through the tenseness of the hours, / While nerves were zither strings / For fate to jar upon: / All through that night we counted old St. Michael's chimes / Now three o'clock -- / The bells spoke as they had on marriage days, / With high and silver-happy tongues / Yet somehow they had gained an irony, / For out across the quiet April bay / Grim, new-built forts grinned at old Sumter / Through the morning mist -- / _One -- two -- three -- four -- _ / And no sound yet! Then -- / Thirty minutes like a life too long; / A red flash dirked the night; / I thought a voice cried, "DOOM"; / That was the gun that killed a million men.
What this Textopian page supports
The Blockade Runner is listed on Textopian as a novel by Hervey Allen, dated 1937 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: 1937 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, War, Poetry, Drama
- Length: 2,319 words
- Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Blockade Runner 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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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set during the American Civil War, focusing on the blockade-running efforts, which are historical events.
- Adventure — The story involves daring and dangerous missions, such as running blockades and navigating through enemy waters.
- War — The backdrop of the Civil War and its impact on the characters and setting is central to the plot.
- Poetry — The writing style is highly poetic, with a focus on imagery and rhythm.
Tags
Historical Fiction · War Novel · American Civil War · Blockade Running · Adventure · Action · Romance · Drama · Maritime History · Naval Warfare · Southern Literature · Coming of Age