Upstairs Downstairs by Hervey Allen
The novel explores the lives of two families: the aristocratic Bellamys and the working-class servants who live with them. The story spans several decades, from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The Bellamy family's fortunes decline as they struggle to adapt to changing social and economic circumstances. Meanwhile, the servants face their own challenges, including poverty, illness, and personal struggles. Throughout the novel, the lives of the two families intersect in complex ways, revealing the intricate relationships between masters and servants, employers and employees. The narrative explores themes of class, identity, and the human condition. The novel is a sweeping epic that spans generations, offering a nuanced portrayal of life during this period.
By Hervey Allen · First published 1932 · Genre: Poetry, Social Commentary, Philosophical · 142 words
First lines
The judge, who lives impeccably upstairs With dull decorum and its implication, Has all his servants in to family prayers, And edifies _his_ soul with exhortation.
Meanwhile his blacks live wastefully downstairs; Not always chaste, they manage to exist With less decorum than the judge upstairs, And find withal a something that he missed.
This painful fact a Swede philosopher, Who tarried for a fortnight in our city, Remarked, one evening at the meal, before We paralyzed him silent with our pity --
Saying the black man living with the white Had given more than white men could requite.
What this Textopian page supports
Upstairs Downstairs is listed on Textopian as a novel by Hervey Allen, dated 1932 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: 1932 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Social Commentary, Philosophical, Satire
- Length: 142 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Upstairs Downstairs by Hervey Allen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Upstairs Downstairs?
- 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 work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and metrical composition.
- Social Commentary — The poem explores themes of racial and social class disparities, highlighting the differences between the lives of the judge and his servants.
- Philosophical — The inclusion of a Swede philosopher's observation introduces a philosophical perspective on racial and social dynamics.
- Satire — The poem uses irony and wit to critique societal norms and the superficiality of decorum.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Domestic Drama · Social Commentary · Family Saga · Coming-of-Age · Romance · Class Conflict · Servant Class · Upper Class · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Novel of Manners