Knitting by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and longing for a past love. The speaker describes knitting a pair of socks while reminiscing about a romantic relationship that has ended. The knitting serves as a metaphor for the speaker's emotional state, with the dropped stitches and tangled yarn symbolizing the chaos and disorder of their heart.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, War Literature, Social Commentary · 269 words
First lines
At the concert and the play Everywhere you see them sitting, Knitting, knitting. Women who the other day Thought of nothing but their frocks Or their jewels or their locks, Women who have lived for pleasure, Who have known no work but leisure, Now are knitting, knitting, knitting For the soldiers over there.
On the trains and on the ships With a diligence befitting, They are knitting. Some with smiles upon their lips, Some with manners debonair, Some with earnest look and air. But each heart in its own fashion, Weaves in pity and compassion In their knitting, knitting, knitting For the soldiers over there.
What this Textopian page supports
Knitting is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, War Literature, Social Commentary, Historical, Women's Literature
- Length: 269 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Knitting by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse with a rhythmic and rhyming pattern.
- War Literature — The themes revolve around the impact of war and the contributions of women to the war effort.
- Social Commentary — The work comments on the societal changes and roles of women during wartime.
- Historical — The content reflects historical events and societal conditions during a specific period.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Women Authors · Romance · Love · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Feminine Perspective · Domestic Life · Crafting