Phaedra by Hilda Doolittle (1948)
The novel revolves around Phaedra, a woman who has been married to her husband for many years and has become disillusioned with their relationship. She begins an affair with a younger man, which serves as a catalyst for her to re-evaluate her life and desires. Phaedra's marriage is portrayed as loveless and stagnant, while her affair represents a sense of freedom and passion that she had been lacking. Through Phaedra's experiences, the novel explores themes of identity, desire, and the constraints placed on women in society. The narrative is characterized by its lyrical prose and introspective tone, which creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy with the reader. The novel raises questions about the nature of love, relationships, and personal fulfillment, leaving the reader to ponder the complexities of Phaedra's situation.
By Hilda Doolittle · First published 1948 · Genre: Poetry, Drama, Mythology · 413 words
First lines
Think, O my soul, / of the red sand of Crete; / think of the earth; the heat / burnt fissures like the great / backs of the temple serpents; / think of the world you knew; / as the tide crept, the land / burned with a lizard-blue / where the dark sea met the sand.
Think, O my soul -- / what power has struck you blind -- / is there no desert-root, no forest-berry / pine-pitch or knot of fir / known that can help the soul / caught in a force, a power, / passionless, not its own?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Drama — The text explores intense emotional and psychological themes, characteristic of dramatic literature.
- Mythology — References to Crete and gods suggest a basis in mythological themes and settings.
- Modernist — The style reflects modernist tendencies with its abstract imagery and exploration of consciousness.
Tags
Tragic Drama · Ancient Greek Mythology · Mythological Retelling · Greek Tragedy · Female Protagonist · Love Triangle · Jealousy · Obsession · Madness · Feminism · Psychoanalysis · Symbolism
What this Textopian page supports
Phaedra is listed on Textopian as a novel by Hilda Doolittle, dated 1948 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Hilda Doolittle
- Date: 1948 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Drama, Mythology, Modernist, Tragedy
- Length: 413 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Phaedra by Hilda Doolittle
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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