At the Party by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
The novel revolves around the character of Mrs. Livingstone, a wealthy widow who hosts an extravagant party to announce her daughter's engagement. However, the festivities are disrupted by the sudden appearance of a mysterious woman who claims to be Mrs. Livingstone's long-lost sister, thought to have died in poverty years ago. The stranger's presence sparks a series of revelations and confrontations that expose the dark secrets and moral hypocrisy of the wealthy elite attending the party.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward · First published 1890 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Social Commentary · 611 words
First lines
Half a dozen children / At our house! / Half a dozen children / Quiet as a mouse, / Quiet as a moonbeam, / You could hear a pin -- / Waiting for the party / To begin.
Such a flood of flounces! / (Oh dear me! ) / Such a surge of sashes / Like a silken sea. / Little eyes demurely / Cast upon the ground, / Little airs and graces / All around.
What this Textopian page supports
At the Party is listed on Textopian as a poem by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Social Commentary, Moral Tale, Domestic Fiction
- Length: 611 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At the Party 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
- Children's Literature — The narrative centers around children and their interactions at a party, making it primarily suitable for a young audience.
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a rhythmic and rhyming structure, characteristic of poetry.
- Social Commentary — The story subtly critiques social norms and behaviors, particularly through the contrast between the children’s attitudes and the modest girl in mourning.
- Moral Tale — The narrative conveys a moral lesson about humility, loss, and grace, especially through the character of the modest girl.
Tags
American Literature · 19th Century · Novel · Social Commentary · Women's Rights · Feminism · Marriage · Family · Relationships · Society · Class · Economy