Thorns by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
The novel explores the lives of three women from different social classes in a small New England town during the late 19th century. The protagonist, a young and impoverished woman, struggles to maintain her dignity while working as a servant for a wealthy family. Meanwhile, the mistress of the house is trapped in a loveless marriage, and a third woman, a widow, lives on the outskirts of society, ostracized due to her scandalous past. Through their interconnected stories, the novel examines themes of class, gender, and social inequality.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward · First published 1874 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 144 words
First lines
As we pass by the roses, / Into your finger-tip / Bruise you the thorn. / Quick at the prick you start, / Crying, "Alas, the smart! / Farewell, my pleasant friend, / Wisely our way we wend / Out of the reach of roses."
Oh, we pass by the roses! / Where does the red drop drip? / Where is the thorn? / What though 'tis hid and pressed / Piercing into my breast? / Scathless, I stretch my hand; / Strong as their roots I stand, / And dare to trust the roses.
What this Textopian page supports
Thorns is listed on Textopian as a poem by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, dated 1874 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: 1874 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Philosophical, Victorian Literature
- Length: 144 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Thorns by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and individual experience are central to the work.
- Symbolism — The use of roses and thorns as symbols to convey deeper meanings about pain and beauty.
- Philosophical — Explores existential themes and the human condition through metaphorical language.
Tags
Feminism · Social Commentary · Romance · Marriage · Women's Rights · 19th Century · American Literature · Domesticity · Gender Roles · Class Divide · Poverty · Wealth