Parted
The novel explores the theme of divorce and its consequences on individuals and society. The story revolves around a married couple who decide to separate due to incompatibility and differing values. The husband, a wealthy businessman, prioritizes material success over emotional connection, while the wife seeks personal fulfillment and intellectual stimulation. As they navigate their new lives apart, they must confront the repercussions of their decision on their relationships with friends, family, and themselves. Through the characters' experiences, the novel examines the social stigma surrounding divorce, the limitations imposed on women by societal expectations, and the struggle for individual identity within marriage.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward · First published 1876 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Tragedy · 191 words
First lines
Oh, never a word he answered, And never a word spake she! They turned their faces each from each, And looked upon the sea.
The hands that cannot clasp for life, Must quickly severed be. The love that is not large enough To live eternally,
In true love's name, for fair love's fame, Must die before its bloom; For it, in all God's earth or heaven, There is no garden-room.
Though all the wine of life be lost, Try well the red grape's hue. Holy the soul that cannot taste The false love for the true.
What this Textopian page supports
Parted is listed on Textopian as a poem by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, dated 1876 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: 1876 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Tragedy, Philosophical, Drama
- Length: 191 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Parted 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
Discussion starters
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- How does this poem by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and rhyme.
- Romance — Themes of love, separation, and emotional conflict are central to the narrative.
- Tragedy — The tone and content suggest a somber and melancholic exploration of doomed love.
- Philosophical — The text delves into existential themes and the nature of true love.
Tags
Romance · Fiction · Novel · American Literature · 19th Century · Women Authors · Social Commentary · Marriage · Divorce · Family Drama · Relationships · Love Story