Grief by Edith Wharton (1916)
Grief reigns supreme, holding dominion over humanity. Those who dare to approach her realm must confront their own insignificance and surrender to her omnipotent will. The world, with all its grandeur, is but a trivial plaything in her mighty hand. To those who stand before her, the trappings of human existence - wealth, status, hope - are reduced to nothingness. Those who gaze too long into the abyss of grief risk losing their connection to humanity, becoming isolated and alone in their journey through the vast expanse of time.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Drama, Philosophical · 323 words
First lines
I
ON immemorial altitudes august Grief holds her high dominion. Bold the feet That climb unblenching to that stern retreat Whence, looking down, man knows himself but dust.
What this Textopian page supports
Grief is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edith Wharton, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edith Wharton
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Drama, Philosophical
- Length: 323 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- A Prayer by Ellen Glasgow
- The Heart Of Sadness by Edith Nesbit
- The One Grief by Edith Wharton
- The Hunter by Ellen Glasgow
- Mary by Ellen Glasgow
- Reunion by Ellen Glasgow
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in stanzas with a rhythmic and rhyming scheme, characteristic of traditional poetry.
- Drama — The work explores intense emotions and existential themes, often associated with dramatic literature.
- Philosophical — The work contemplates the human condition, mortality, and the nature of the world, common in philosophical literature.
Tags
Novel · American Literature · Early 20th Century · Grief · Loss · Mourning · Death · Family Drama · Social Class · Marriage · Infidelity · Adultery