A Fallen King by Selma Lagerlof
The novel revolves around a king who has lost his throne and must navigate the complexities of exile. He struggles to come to terms with his new circumstances and grapples with feelings of guilt, shame, and regret. Through his experiences, the story explores themes of power, identity, and redemption. The narrative is structured as a series of flashbacks, which reveal the king's past actions and decisions that led to his downfall. These recollections serve as a means of self-reflection, allowing the reader to understand the motivations behind the king's behavior. Throughout the novel, Lagerlof employs symbolism and imagery to convey the king's emotional state. The natural world is used to represent the turmoil within him, with storms and darkness serving as metaphors for his inner turmoil. Ultimately, the story presents a nuanced portrayal of a complex character, one who must confront the consequences of his actions and find a way to redeem himself in the eyes of others.
By Selma Lagerlof · First published 1907 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction · 8,758 words
First lines
Mine was the kingdom of fancy, now I am a fallen king. Snoilsky
The wooden shoes clattered in uneasy measure on the pavements. The street boys hurried by. They shouted, they whistled. The houses shook, and from the courts the echo rushed out like a chained dog from his kennel.
What this Textopian page supports
A Fallen King is listed on Textopian as a novel by Selma Lagerlof, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Selma Lagerlof
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Tragedy
- Length: 8,758 words
- Structure: 1 section, 139 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for A Fallen King by Selma Lagerlof
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Fallen King?
- How does this novel by Selma Lagerlof fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of love, betrayal, and societal judgment, focusing on character development and emotional depth.
- Drama — The narrative is rich in conflict and emotional tension, depicting personal and social struggles that unfold dramatically.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters, particularly the wife and the shoemaker, revealing their psychological turmoil.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and expectations regarding marriage, fidelity, and gender roles, reflecting on the impact of public perception.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Swedish Literature · Coming-of-Age Story · Social Commentary · Realism · Nationalism · Identity Crisis · Family Drama · Love Triangle · War Novel · Psychological Insight · Character Study