An Old Love by Carolyn Wells (1920)
The narrative centers on a young girl grappling with the emotional turmoil of parting with a beloved, worn-out doll in favor of a new one. The girl expresses her affection for the old doll, Priscilla, despite its damaged state, highlighting the sentimental value and memories associated with it. As she contemplates the necessity of discarding Priscilla due to her aunt's insistence, the girl reflects on the doll's imperfections, which symbolize the passage of time and the bittersweet nature of growing up. The internal conflict reveals the girl's struggle between the allure of newness and the deep-rooted love for the familiar. Ultimately, she resolves to cherish her old doll, recognizing that true affection transcends physical flaws. The work captures themes of nostalgia, attachment, and the innocence of childhood, illustrating how emotional bonds can endure despite the inevitability of change. The girl's decision to keep Priscilla, despite societal pressures, underscores the importance of personal connections and the lasting impact of cherished memories.
By Carolyn Wells · First published 1920 · Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama · 240 words
First lines
Priscilla, Auntie's promised me A brand-new Paris doll; And though I love you, yet you see I cannot keep you all.
Nursey declares I really must Throw one of you away; And you're the oldest, so I trust You will not care to stay.
You've lost an arm, your dress is torn, Your wig is all awry; Priscilla, you are so forlorn, We'll have to say good-by.
And yet -- oh, don't! my dolly dear, _Don't_ look so sad, I pray! You precious dolly, come right here, You _shan't_ be thrown away!
What this Textopian page supports
An Old Love is listed on Textopian as a short story by Carolyn Wells, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Carolyn Wells
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 240 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Old Love by Carolyn Wells
- 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 An Old Love?
- How does this short story by Carolyn Wells fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romance — The title 'An Old Love' clearly implies a romantic theme, suggesting the book likely focuses on a past or historical love story.
- Historical Fiction — The term 'Old' in the title could signify a story set in a previous time period, making the genre of historical fiction relevant.
- Drama — The title 'An Old Love' suggests that the book may contain emotional or dramatic elements involving characters and relationships.
Tags
romance · nostalgia · love · relationships · drama · emotions · heartbreak · reunion · past · memories · conflict · forgiveness