Absent! by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
The novel explores the theme of women's rights and independence through the story of a young woman who rejects societal expectations to pursue a career as an artist. The protagonist faces opposition from her family and community, but ultimately achieves success and autonomy.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward · First published 1896 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, War · 478 words
First lines
You do not lift your eyes to watch / Us pass the conscious door; / Your startled ear perceiveth not / Our footfall on the floor; / No eager word your lips betray / To greet us when we stand; / We throng to meet you, but you hold / To us no beckoning hand.
Faint as the years in which we breathed, / Far as the death we died, / Dim as the faded battle-smoke, / We wander at your side; / Cold as a cause outlived, or lost, / Vague as the legends told / At twilight, of a mystic band / Circling an Age of Gold.
What this Textopian page supports
Absent! is listed on Textopian as a poem by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, War, Reflective, Inspirational
- Length: 478 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Absent! by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- 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
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Historical — The themes and references to past events, such as battles and legacies, indicate a historical context.
- War — Mentions of army blue, battles, and the laying down of life suggest a focus on war and its consequences.
- Reflective — The contemplative tone and exploration of themes like legacy and memory align with reflective literature.
Tags
Feminist Literature · Social Commentary · Domesticity · Marriage · Motherhood · Women's Rights · 19th Century American Literature · Realism · Family Drama · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Social Class