Sharaku Dreams
The novel explores the intersection of reality and fantasy through the protagonist's experiences with a mysterious woman known only as Sharaku. As their relationship deepens, the lines between dreams and waking life become increasingly blurred. The narrative delves into themes of identity, love, and the power of imagination to shape one's perception of reality.
By John Gould Fletcher · First published 1928 · Genre: Poetry, Expressionism, Surrealism · 151 words
First lines
I will scrawl on the walls of the night Faces.
Leering, sneering, scowling, threatening faces; Weeping, twisting, yelling, howling faces; Faces fixed in a contortion between a scream and a laugh, Meaningless faces.
I will cover the walls of night With faces, Till you do not know If these faces are but masks, or you the masks for them.
Faces too grotesque for laughter, Faces too shattered by pain for tears, Faces of such ugliness That the ugliness grows beauty.
What this Textopian page supports
Sharaku Dreams is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Gould Fletcher, dated 1928 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Gould Fletcher
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Expressionism, Surrealism, Symbolism, Modernism
- Length: 151 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Sharaku Dreams by John Gould Fletcher
- 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 Sharaku Dreams?
- How does this poem by John Gould Fletcher 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 characterized by its use of verse, rhythm, and imagery, typical of poetic expression.
- Expressionism — The themes focus on emotional experience and the portrayal of distorted realities, reflecting inner turmoil.
- Surrealism — The imagery and themes suggest a dream-like quality, exploring the subconscious and the bizarre.
- Symbolism — The use of faces as symbols conveys deeper meanings and emotions, characteristic of symbolic literature.
Tags
Japanese Art · Literary Fiction · Psychological Insight · Stream-of-Consciousness · Philosophical Themes · Existentialism · Mystery · Symbolism · Imagery · Poetic Prose · Inner Turmoil · Self-Discovery