His Mansion by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The story revolves around a wealthy businessman who builds a grand mansion for his beloved wife. However, their happiness is short-lived as she dies soon after moving in. The husband is devastated and becomes reclusive, shutting himself away in the mansion with his memories of her. Years later, he meets a young woman who resembles his late wife and begins to court her, but she is already engaged to another man.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1894 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious · 88 words
First lines
There was a thought he hid from all men's eyes, And by his prudent life and deeds of worth He left a goodly record upon earth As one both pure and wise.
But when he reached a dark unsightly door Beyond the grave, there stood his secret thought. It was the mansion he had built and brought To dwell in, on that shore.
What this Textopian page supports
His Mansion is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1894 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: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious, Allegory
- Length: 88 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for His Mansion 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 His Mansion?
- How does this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep existential and moral questions about life, death, and the afterlife.
- Religious — The narrative involves concepts of the afterlife and moral judgment, which are often associated with religious literature.
- Allegory — The story uses symbolic figures and actions to convey deeper moral and philosophical meanings.
Tags
Romance · Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Gothic Fiction · Haunted House · Wealthy Family · Dark Secrets · Family Drama · Love Triangle · Marriage · Deception