A Dark Month

Algernon Charles SwinburneProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.5

Word count: 29K words
Chapters: 3

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today. A Dark Month by Algernon Charles Swinburne. Author: Swinburne, Algernon Charles, 1837-1909. Language: English. Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature. Release Date: Jun 7, 2006

Editor's review

This is a poem by Swinburne, released under Project Gutenberg's English literature category as a public-domain electronic text. Swinburne is known for his intricate sound patterns and strong rhythm, and this work is likewise closer to a text for recitation than to plot-driven narrative. The darkness in the title signals the emotional register; as you read, pay attention to how sound is arranged—how repetition, rhyme, and extended syntax work together to build atmosphere. Its value lies not in telling a complete story but in offering a language experience, well suited to close-reading practice for readers interested in Victorian English poetry. Because it is a public-domain electronic text, version information is limited; readers should approach it as the original poem rather than relying on it as a popular introduction with commentary. For reading settings, it suits quiet read-aloud sessions or slow reading in short sections—no need to take on too much at once.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Victorian English poetry
Learners who want to practice reading English poetry aloud and analyzing rhythm
Teachers who need a public-domain poetry text as supplementary material for literature classes

Not a good fit for

Readers of fiction who prefer clear plot and character development
Beginners whose English reading ability is not yet sufficient for poetic syntax
Readers looking for detailed annotations and commentary on the work's background

Reading tips

First read it aloud once to feel the rhythm and sound, then work through the meaning section by section.
Mark recurring images and word choices, and observe how they accumulate emotional force.
Read only a short section at a time; after each, summarize in your own words the tone and imagery of that section.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Can I read this with no experience of poetry?

You can try, but adjust your expectations. Start by reading aloud; don't aim for word-by-word understanding first—feel the sound and rhythm, then use a dictionary for key words. If the syntax is difficult, read a short section first and restate its gist in your own words, progressing gradually rather than reading the whole text in one go.

Does this poem tell a story?

From the available information, it is a poetic text rather than a plot-driven novel, and its focus is more likely on language, sound, and atmosphere. Readers should not come to it expecting plot, but should attend to repetition and variation at the level of sound and to how images accumulate into an overall tone. For specifics, consult the original text.

What should I keep in mind when reading a public-domain electronic text?

Public-domain electronic texts usually lack detailed annotations and version notes, and the formatting may be plain. When reading, bring your own dictionary; mark unfamiliar allusions or usages rather than forcing a solution. If using it for study, you may pair it with reliable introductory materials on poetry, but close reading of the original should remain the focus.

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About the author

Algernon Charles Swinburne Author · United Kingdom · 1837–1909

Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837–1909) was an English poet, playwright and literary critic of the Victorian era. Born in London, he attended Eton and Oxford and was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites. He is known for lyric poetry of sumptuous sound and rich diction, combining sensuous colour with the gravity of classical subjects. His representative works include the verse drama Atalanta in Calydon, the collections Poems and Ballads, Songs Before Sunrise, A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems and Astrophel and Other Poems, as well as The Triumph of Time and the critical study A Study of Shakespeare. Twenty-five of his works are held in the collection. Public information is limited, yet his style has had a lasting influence on British aestheticism and the lyric tradition.