Two Slatterns and a King
The poem explores the theme of femininity and power through the character of a king who visits two slovenly women. The king's presence sparks a transformation in the women, who begin to tidy up their surroundings and themselves. However, this transformation is short-lived, and they soon return to their slovenly state. The poem suggests that true power lies not with the king or external forces, but rather with the women's own autonomy and self-acceptance.
By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1921 · Genre: Drama, Comedy, Satire · 2,827 words
First lines
PERSONS
THE KING / CHANCE the VICE / TIDY the false SLATTERN / SLUT the true SLATTERN
What this Textopian page supports
Two Slatterns and a King is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1921 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
- Date: 1921 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Comedy, Satire, Verse
- Length: 2,827 words
- Structure: 1 section, 59 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Two Slatterns and a King by Edna St. Vincent Millay
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
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- Whose Petard Was It by Alice Duer Miller
- Xingu by Edith Wharton
- Renouncement by Alice Meynell
- The Philosopher by Edna St Vincent Millay
- James Russell Lowell by Alice Meynell
Genres
- Drama — The work is structured as a play, with characters, dialogue, and stage directions.
- Comedy — The work contains humorous elements, such as the King's mistaken choice of bride and the reversal of roles between Tidy and Slut.
- Satire — The work satirizes the idea of judging people based on appearances and the unpredictability of chance.
- Verse — The dialogue and narration are written in rhymed verse, indicating a poetic element.
Tags
Poetry · Feminist Literature · American Literature · 20th Century · Romance · Love Triangle · Kingdoms · Royalty · Female Protagonists · Slam Poetry · Free Verse · Modernism
More by Edna St. Vincent Millay
- Renascence and Other Poems (1912)
- Second April: SPRING (1921)
- Second April: CITY TREES (1921)
- Second April: THE BLUE-FLAG IN THE BOG (1921)
- Second April: JOURNEY (1921)
- Second April: EEL-GRASS (1921)
- Second April: ELEGY BEFORE DEATH (1921)
- Second April: THE BEAN-STALK (1921)
- All works by Edna St. Vincent Millay