The Yellow Sign

Name: The Yellow Sign
Author: Robert W. Chambers

The story revolves around a mysterious and eerie symbol known as the Yellow Sign, which is said to have supernatural powers. The narrative follows an unnamed protagonist who becomes obsessed with the sign after seeing it in a Parisian artist's studio. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers that the sign is connected to a sinister and ancient cult that worships a malevolent deity.

By Robert W. Chambers · First published 1895 · Genre: Horror, Weird Fiction, Gothic Fiction · 3 chapters · 8,751 words

First lines

"Let the red dawn surmise What we shall do, When this blue starlight dies And all is through. "

THERE ARE SO many things which are impossible to explain! Why should certain chords in music make me think of the brown and golden tints of autumn foliage? Why should the Mass of Sainte Cécile send my thoughts wandering among the caverns whose walls blaze with ragged masses of virgin silver? What was it in the roar and turmoil of Broadway at six o'clock that flashed before my eyes the picture of a still Breton forest where sunlight filtered through spring foliage and Sylvia bent, half curiously, half tenderly, over a small green lizard, murmuring: "To think that this also is a little ward of God!"

What this Textopian page supports

The Yellow Sign is listed on Textopian as a novella by Robert W. Chambers, dated 1895 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novella
Author: Robert W. Chambers
Date: 1895 CE
Language: English
Genres: Horror, Weird Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Fantasy, Short Story
Length: 8,751 words
Structure: 3 chapters, 180 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Yellow Sign by Robert W. Chambers
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 The Yellow Sign?
How does this novella by Robert W. Chambers fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Horror first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Horror — The narrative is filled with supernatural elements and evokes feelings of fear and dread.
Weird Fiction — The story combines elements of horror and speculative fiction, creating an eerie and uncanny atmosphere.
Gothic Fiction — The narrative employs dark, gloomy settings and a sense of impending doom, typical of Gothic literature.
Fantasy — The story involves supernatural elements and otherworldly forces.