Artist's Life by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The novel explores the life of a young artist who rises to fame and wealth but loses his sense of purpose and happiness. He becomes disillusioned with the superficiality of high society and the art world, feeling that he has compromised his artistic integrity for commercial success. The story follows his journey as he searches for true love and a deeper connection to his art and himself.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1900 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Nostalgia · 256 words
First lines
Of all the waltzes the great Strauss wrote, / Mad with melody, rhythm-rife / From the very first to the final note. / Give me his "Artist's Life!"
It stirs my blood to my finger-ends, / Thrills me and fills me with vague unrest, / And all that is sweetest and saddest blends / Together within my breast.
It brings back that night in the dim arcade, / In love's sweet morning and life's best prime, / When the great brass orchestra played and played, / And set our thoughts to rhyme.
It brings back that Winter of mad delights, / Of leaping pulses and tripping feet, / And those languid moon-washed Summer nights / When we heard the band in the street.
What this Textopian page supports
Artist's Life is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1900 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: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Nostalgia, Music, Sentimental
- Length: 256 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Artist's Life 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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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and rhythm.
- Romance — Themes of love, passion, and emotional reminiscence are central to the text.
- Nostalgia — The poem reflects on past experiences and memories with a sense of longing.
- Music — The poem is inspired by and revolves around a specific waltz by Strauss, emphasizing musical elements.
Tags
Autobiography · Memoir · Biographical · Non-Fiction · Literary · American Literature · Women Authors · Poetry · Artistic Life · Personal Narrative · Historical · Early 20th Century