A Holiday by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of disillusionment and the fleeting nature of pleasure. The speaker describes a lavish holiday celebration, but beneath the surface, they feel empty and unfulfilled. The festivities are compared to a "gaudy” and “tinsel” show, implying superficiality. The poem suggests that true happiness cannot be found in external pleasures, but rather in internal fulfillment.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Domestic Fiction, Romance · 433 words
First lines
THE WIFE
The house is like a garden, / The children are the flowers, / The gardener should come methinks / And walk among his bowers, / Oh! lock the door on worry / And shut your cares away, / Not time of year, but love and cheer, / Will make a holiday.
THE HUSBAND
Impossible! You women do not know / The toil it takes to make a business grow. / I cannot join you until very late, / So hurry home, nor let the dinner wait.
What this Textopian page supports
A Holiday is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Domestic Fiction, Romance, Drama, Holiday Fiction
- Length: 433 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Holiday by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- 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 written in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality.
- Domestic Fiction — The themes revolve around family life, marital relationships, and domestic concerns.
- Romance — The narrative explores the emotional dynamics and love between a husband and wife.
- Drama — The dialogue and emotional conflict between characters add a dramatic element.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Love · Nature · Seasonal · Holiday · Leisure · Travel · Vacation · Relaxation · Freedom · Joy