The Emperor's Vision
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman who returns to her childhood home after being away for many years. She becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and power struggles within her family, particularly with her father, who holds significant influence over their community. As she navigates these dynamics, she begins to uncover dark secrets about her family's past and the true nature of her father's authority. The story explores themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of unchecked power. Throughout the narrative, the protagonist grapples with her own sense of self and purpose, struggling to reconcile her desires with the expectations placed upon her by those around her.
By Selma Lagerlof · First published 1908 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Religious Allegory · 2,470 words
First lines
It happened at the time when Augustus was Emperor in Rome and Herod was King in Jerusalem.
It was then that a very great and holy night sank down over the earth. It was the darkest night that anyone had ever seen. One could have believed that the whole earth had fallen into a cellar-vault. It was impossible to distinguish water from land, and one could not find one's way on the most familiar road. And it couldn't be otherwise, for not a ray of light came from heaven. All the stars stayed at home in their own houses, and the fair moon held her face averted.
What this Textopian page supports
The Emperor's Vision is listed on Textopian as a short story by Selma Lagerlof, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Selma Lagerlof
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Religious Allegory, Mythology, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,470 words
- Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Emperor's Vision by Selma Lagerlof
- 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 Emperor's Vision?
- How does this short story by Selma Lagerlof fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Flight Into Egypt by Selma Lagerlof
- The Legend Of The Horseshoe by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- The Return Of The Charm by Henry Van Dyke
- He That Cometh After by Marjorie Pickthall
- Behram And Eddetma by Madison Cawein
- The Dragons Teeth by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical context involving Roman emperors and biblical themes, blending real historical figures with fictional elements.
- Fantasy — The presence of supernatural elements, such as visions and angels, creates a fantastical atmosphere that transcends reality.
- Religious Allegory — The story conveys deep religious themes, particularly the prophecy of Christ's birth, serving as an allegory for faith and divinity.
- Mythology — The incorporation of mythological figures like the sibyl and the exploration of omens and prophecies align with mythological storytelling.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Swedish Literature · Nobel Prize Winner · Fantasy · Adventure · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Mystery · Romance · Social Commentary · Cultural Heritage · National Identity