The Sacred Flame by Selma Lagerlof
The novel revolves around a young woman who returns to her childhood home after being away for many years. She becomes embroiled in the lives of the local people and discovers that they are struggling with poverty, superstition, and social inequality. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption as the protagonist navigates this complex web of relationships.
By Selma Lagerlof · First published 1901 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance · 5 chapters · 12,459 words
First lines
A great many years ago, when the city of Florence had only just been made a republic, a man lived there named Raniero di Raniero. He was the son of an armorer, and had learned his father's trade, but he did not care much to pursue it.
What this Textopian page supports
The Sacred Flame is listed on Textopian as a novel by Selma Lagerlof, dated 1901 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: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance, Allegory, Drama
- Length: 12,459 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 227 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Sacred Flame 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 Sacred Flame?
- How does this novel by Selma Lagerlof fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical context, focusing on events during the early days of the Florentine Republic and the Crusades.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a perilous journey to carry a sacred flame, facing various challenges and adventures along the way.
- Romance — The story explores the complex relationship between Raniero and Francesca, highlighting themes of love, loss, and redemption.
- Allegory — The candle flame symbolizes deeper themes of faith, love, and the human condition, representing the struggle to maintain one's values.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Swedish Literature · Coming-of-Age Story · Romance · Drama · Social Commentary · Family Saga · Nostalgia · Love Triangle · Small-Town Life · Class Conflict · Morality Tale