At the End of the Alley
The story revolves around a young woman who lives with her mother and sister in a small apartment at the end of an alley. The family struggles financially, and the mother works long hours to make ends meet. The daughter feels trapped by her circumstances and longs for freedom and adventure. As she navigates her daily life, she begins to question the societal norms that govern her existence. She becomes increasingly disillusioned with the constraints placed on women and the limited opportunities available to them. The narrative explores themes of poverty, oppression, and the struggle for individuality in a society that values conformity above all else. Through the protagonist's experiences, the story highlights the difficulties faced by working-class women during this period.
By Voltairine De Cleyre · First published 1918 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Realism · 3,296 words
First lines
It is a long narrow pocket opening on a little street which runs like a tortuous seam up and down the city, over there. It was at the end of the summer; and in summer, in the evening, the mouth of the pocket is hard to find, because of the people, in it and about, who sit across the passage, gasping at the dirty winds that come loafing down the street like crafty beggars seeking a hole to sleep in -- like mean beggars, bereft of the spirit of free windhood. Down in the pocket itself the air is quite dead; one feels oneself enveloped in a scum-covered pool of it, and at every breath long filaments of invisible roots, swamp-roots, tear and tangle in your floundering lungs.
What this Textopian page supports
At the End of the Alley is listed on Textopian as a short story by Voltairine De Cleyre, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Voltairine De Cleyre
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Realism, Psychological Fiction, Gothic Fiction
- Length: 3,296 words
- Structure: 1 section, 57 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At the End of the Alley by Voltairine De Cleyre
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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 At the End of the Alley?
- How does this short story by Voltairine De Cleyre fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- The Shoulders Of Atlas by Mary E. Wilkins
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- Saved by Rabindranath Tagore
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep emotional and social themes, focusing on the human condition and societal issues.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms, particularly regarding poverty, gender roles, and the impact of illness.
- Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of life in a struggling urban environment, emphasizing the harsh realities faced by the characters.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the psychological struggles of the characters, particularly the emotional aftermath of loss and isolation.
Tags
Anarchism · Feminism · Socialism · Poetry · Prose · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Autobiographical · Memoir · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery