Carlos by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1889)
The poem tells the story of a woman who falls deeply in love with Carlos, a charming and handsome stranger she meets at a ball. Despite knowing nothing about his past or character, she becomes obsessed with him and eventually agrees to marry him. However, on their wedding night, she discovers that Carlos is already married and has been deceiving her all along. The poem explores themes of love, deception, and heartbreak as the woman struggles to come to terms with the truth about her husband.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1889 · Genre: Romance, Drama, Poetry · 532 words
First lines
Last night I knelt low at my lady's feet. One soft, caressing hand played with my hair, And one I kissed and fondled. Kneeling there, I deemed my meed of happiness complete.
She was so fair, so full of witching wiles- Of fascinating tricks of mouth and eye; So womanly withal, but not too shy- And all my heaven was compassed by her smiles.
What this Textopian page supports
Carlos 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: Romance, Drama, Poetry, Psychological Fiction, Tragedy
- Length: 532 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Carlos 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Carlos?
- How does this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love, passion, and romantic relationships.
- Drama — The narrative is driven by intense emotional conflicts and dramatic revelations.
- Poetry — The writing style is poetic, with a focus on lyrical expression and rhythm.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the psychological turmoil and inner conflicts of the protagonist.
Tags
Romance · Novel · American Literature · 19th Century · Fiction · Love Story · Tragedy · Poetic Prose · Melodrama · Social Class · Wealth · Power Dynamics