Hermonax by Hilda Doolittle (1923)
The novel revolves around a young woman's journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. It explores themes of identity, morality, and the human condition through her experiences in a small town in New England. The narrative delves into her relationships with others, including a charismatic figure who becomes a catalyst for her transformation.
By Hilda Doolittle · First published 1923 · Genre: Poetry, Mythology, Nature · 209 words
First lines
Gods of the sea; Ino, leaving warm meads for the green, grey-green fastnesses of the great deeps; and Palemon, bright seeker of sea-shaft, hear me.
Let all whom the sea loves, come to its altar front, and I who can offer no other sacrifice to thee bring this.
Broken by great waves, the wavelets flung it here, this sea-gliding creature, this strange creature like a weed, covered with salt foam, torn from the hillocks of rock.
I, Hermonax, caster of nets, risking chance, plying the sea craft, came on it.
What this Textopian page supports
Hermonax is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilda Doolittle, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilda Doolittle
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Mythology, Nature, Religious
- Length: 209 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Hermonax by Hilda Doolittle
- 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 Hermonax?
- How does this poem by Hilda Doolittle 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, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery and metaphor.
- Mythology — The text references mythological figures like Ino and Palemon, indicating a thematic connection to ancient myths.
- Nature — The poem vividly describes elements of the sea and natural environment, emphasizing the relationship between humans and nature.
- Religious — The invocation of sea gods and the offering suggest a ritualistic or religious theme.
Tags
Experimental poetry · Modernist literature · Free verse · Stream-of-consciousness · Autobiographical elements · Personal narrative · Inner monologue · Emotional intensity · Introspection · Self-discovery · Existential themes · Philosophical undertones