A Successful Man by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The story revolves around a wealthy businessman who appears to have it all - wealth, fame, and a beautiful wife. However, beneath the surface, he is unhappy and unfulfilled. He becomes infatuated with a young woman who embodies innocence and purity, sparking an internal conflict within him. As he struggles with his desires, he begins to reevaluate his life choices and priorities, leading to a transformation that ultimately brings him true happiness and fulfillment.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Tragedy, Social Commentary · 294 words
First lines
There was a man who killed a loving maid / In some mad mood of passion; and he paid / The price, upon a scaffold. Now his name / Stands only as a synonym for shame. / There was another man, who took to wife / A loving woman. She was full of life, / Of hope, and aspirations; and her pride / Clothed her like some rich mantle.
First, the wide / Glad stream of life that through her veins had sway / He dammed by rocks, cast in it, day by day. / Her flag of hope, flung gaily to the world, / He placed half mast, and then hauled down, and furled. / The aspirations, breathing in each word, / By subtle ridicule, were made absurd:
What this Textopian page supports
A Successful Man is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Tragedy, Social Commentary, Drama, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 294 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Successful Man by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
- The Squanderer by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Pretext by Edith Wharton
- The Coquette by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Old Maid by Helen Hay Whitney
- The Mission Of Jane by Edith Wharton
- Magnetism by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter.
- Tragedy — The themes revolve around the destruction of a woman's spirit and the consequences of emotional abuse.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal norms and the disparity in how different types of crimes are perceived and punished.
- Drama — The intense emotional experiences and conflicts between characters are central to the story.
Tags
Romance · Novel · Classic · Literary Fiction · American Literature · Philosophical · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Self-Discovery · Personal Growth