
To "A Certain Rich Man"
"A Certain Rich Man" by Alice Meynell is a thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of wealth, power, and morality. The speaker of the poem presents a paradoxical figure, someone who has accumulated great riches but remains unfulfilled and discontented. Through clever wordplay and imagery, Meynell raises questions about the nature of true happiness and the consequences of prioritizing material wealth above all else.
The poem's structure is also noteworthy, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of escalating tension and complexity. The use of enjambment and caesura adds to the overall musicality of the poem, making it a pleasure to read aloud.
Overall, "A Certain Rich Man" is a masterful work of poetry that rewards close reading and contemplation.
By Alice Meynell · First published 1896 · Genre: Christian Literature, Non-fiction, Philosophy · 142 words
First lines
"I HAVE FIVE BRETHREN. FATHER, I BESEECH
THEE. LEST THEY COME TO THIS PLACE"
"St. Luke's Gospel"
Thou wouldst not part thy spoil
What this Textopian page supports
To "A Certain Rich Man" is listed on Textopian as a poem by Alice Meynell, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Alice Meynell
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Christian Literature, Non-fiction, Philosophy, Inspirational, Sociology
- Length: 142 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To "A Certain Rich Man" by Alice Meynell
- 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 To "A Certain Rich Man"?
- How does this poem by Alice Meynell fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Christian Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
Genres
- Christian Literature — The book's primary focus is on Christian values and the author refers to biblical passages, making it fall under Christian Literature.
- Non-fiction — The book explores real-life human behavior, materialism, and moral dilemmas, leading it to be categorized as Non-fiction.
- Philosophy — The book discusses ethical issues, human nature, and moral responsibility, aligning it with the Philosophy genre.
- Inspirational — The book aims to motivate and inspire individuals to reflect upon their actions and lifestyle, qualifying it as Inspirational.
Tags
Victorian literature · short stories · fin de siecle · gender roles · class struggle · social commentary · psychological insight · symbolism · allegory · irony · satire · realism
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