Ollie Mcgee by Edgar Lee Masters
The narrative centers on a woman reflecting on her life and the impact of her husband's emotional cruelty. She describes her husband as a man who walks through the village with a defeated demeanor, embodying the consequences of his actions. The woman reveals that his secret cruelty has stripped her of her youth and beauty, leading to her physical and emotional decline. She articulates the transformation from a vibrant woman to one marked by age and despair, highlighting the toll that his behavior has taken on her. The imagery of her "wrinkled" face and "yellow teeth" symbolizes the loss of vitality and the shame she feels. Despite her suffering, she finds a sense of vindication in death, believing that her husband's guilt and regret for what he has done to her will ultimately lead him to her grave. The work explores themes of emotional abuse, the consequences of one's actions, and the complex dynamics of love and resentment. The woman's voice serves as a powerful testament to the pain inflicted by her husband, while also suggesting that his internal torment is a form of poetic justice. The narrative ultimately reflects on the enduring impact of relationships and the haunting nature of guilt.
By Edgar Lee Masters · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Tragedy · 121 words
First lines
Have you seen walking through the village A man with downcast eyes and haggard face?
That is my husband who, by secret cruelty Never to be told, robbed me of my youth and my beauty;
Till at last, wrinkled and with yellow teeth, And with broken pride and shameful humility, I sank into the grave.
But what think you gnaws at my husband's heart?
What this Textopian page supports
Ollie Mcgee is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edgar Lee Masters, dated 1916 CE.
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- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edgar Lee Masters
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Social Commentary, Character Study
- Length: 121 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Literary Fiction — The themes explore deep emotional and psychological aspects of human relationships.
- Tragedy — The narrative conveys themes of suffering, loss, and the consequences of cruelty.
- Social Commentary — The poem reflects on societal issues such as gender roles and the impact of personal relationships.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Free Verse · Symbolism · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Midwestern Setting · Working Class Life · Marriage and Relationships · Family Dynamics · Mortality and Aging · Isolation and Loneliness