Answer by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1889)
The poem explores the idea that a person's soulmate can be identified through an unspoken connection, where two individuals instinctively know they are meant to be together. The speaker describes this phenomenon as an "answer" that echoes within them, guiding them towards their destined partner.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1889 · Genre: Poetry, Feminist Literature, Social Commentary · 239 words
First lines
O WELL have we done the old tasks! in the old, old ways of earth. We have kept the house in order, we have given the children birth; And our sons went out with their fathers, and left us alone at the hearth!
We have cooked the meats for their table; we have woven their cloth at the loom; We have pulled the weeds from their gardens, and kept the flowers in bloom; And then we have sat and waited, alone in a silent room.
We have borne all the pains of travail in giving life to the race; We have toiled and saved, for the masters, and helped them to power and place; And when we asked for a pittance, they gave it with grudging grace.
What this Textopian page supports
Answer is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1889 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: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Feminist Literature, Social Commentary, Philosophical Literature
- Length: 239 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form, employing rhyme and meter.
- Feminist Literature — The themes focus on women's roles, struggles, and empowerment.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and economic disparities.
- Philosophical Literature — The work explores existential themes and the human condition.
Tags
Poetry · Philosophy · Spirituality · Inspirational · Motivational · Self-Help · Personal Growth · Mindfulness · Wellness · Optimism · Hope · Faith