A Fairy Tale by Amy Lowell (1915)
"A Fairy Tale" is a poem written by Amy Lowell in 1914. The poem tells the story of a young woman who dreams of escaping her mundane life and experiencing the magic of fairy tales. She longs to be swept away by a handsome prince and live a life of wonder and adventure. However, as she drifts off to sleep, she realizes that the world of fairy tales is not as perfect as it seems. The poem explores themes of disillusionment, the search for meaning, and the struggle to find happiness in a seemingly unmagical world.
By Amy Lowell · First published 1915 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 527 words
First lines
On winter nights beside the nursery fire We read the fairy tale, while glowing coals Builded its pictures. There before our eyes We saw the vaulted hall of traceried stone Uprear itself, the distant ceiling hung With pendent stalactites like frozen vines; And all along the walls at intervals, Curled upwards into pillars, roses climbed, And ramped and were confined, and clustered leaves Divided where there peered a laughing face.
The foliage seemed to rustle in the wind, A silent murmur, carved in still, gray stone.
What this Textopian page supports
A Fairy Tale is listed on Textopian as a short story by Amy Lowell, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Amy Lowell
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure
- Length: 527 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Fairy Tale by Amy Lowell
- 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 A Fairy Tale?
- How does this short story by Amy Lowell fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Fairy Box by Louisa May Alcott
- Fairy Song by Louisa May Alcott
- Nells Fairy Tale by Oliver Herford
- Sing A Song O Sixpence by L. Frank Baum
- The Wonderful Hair The Story Of A Poor Man Who Dreamed Of An Angel by Parker Fillmore
- An Impromptu Fairy Tale by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The title of the book 'A Fairy Tale' directly suggests that it is related to the genre of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — Fairy tales often fall within the broader genre of fantasy, as they typically involve mythical creatures, magical powers, or other elements of the fantastical.
- Children's Literature — Fairy tales are commonly associated with children's literature. They are often used as moral lessons or bedtime stories for children.
- Adventure — Many fairy tales involve a narrative of adventure - a quest or journey undertaken by the protagonist(s).
Tags
Fantasy · Poetry · Classic Literature · Women Writers · Romance · Magic Realism · Symbolism · Narrative Poem · Short Story Collection · 19th Century Literature · American Literature · Love