Beauty by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1884)
The poem explores the concept of beauty and its fleeting nature. It describes beauty as a divine gift that can uplift humanity, but also warns that it can be lost due to human flaws and imperfections. The speaker argues that true beauty comes from within, and that external attractiveness is superficial and ephemeral.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1884 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophy, Spirituality · 683 words
First lines
_The search for beauty is the search for God_ _Who is All Beauty_. _He who seeks shall find_. _And all along the paths my feet have trod_, _I have sought hungrily with heart and mind_, _And open eyes for beauty_, _everywhere_. _Lo_! _I have found the world is very fair_. _The search for beauty is the search for God_.
Beauty was first revealed to me by stars, Before I saw it in my mother's eyes, Or, seeing, sensed it beauty, I was stirred To awe and wonder by those orbs of light All palpitant against empurpled skies. They spoke a language to my childish heart Of mystery and splendour, and of space, Friendly with gracious, unseen presences. Beauty was first revealed to me by stars.
What this Textopian page supports
Beauty is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1884 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: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophy, Spirituality, Nature Writing, Autobiography
- Length: 683 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Beauty 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Beauty?
- How does this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Spirit Of A Great Control by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Courage by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Universal Route by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Show Me The Way by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Three Things by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Life by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme, meter, and imagery.
- Philosophy — The text explores deep philosophical themes about the nature of beauty and its connection to the divine.
- Spirituality — The work discusses the search for beauty as a spiritual journey and equates beauty with God.
- Nature Writing — The text contains vivid descriptions of natural scenes and seasons, emphasizing the beauty found in nature.
Tags
Poetry · Philosophy · Spirituality · Inspiration · Motivation · Self-Help · Personal Growth · Wellness · Mindfulness · Beauty Standards · Feminism · Empowerment