More Fortunate by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the idea that those who have experienced sorrow and hardship are more fortunate than those who have lived a life of ease and comfort. The speaker argues that suffering can lead to personal growth, wisdom, and a deeper appreciation for life, while a life without challenges can result in stagnation and superficiality.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1898 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Romantic · 163 words
First lines
I hold that life more fortunate by far / That sits with its sweet memories alone / And cherishes a joy for ever flown / Beyond the reach of accident to mar. / (Some joy that was extinguished like a star) / Than that which makes the prize so much its own / That its poor commonplacenesses are shown; / (Which in all things, when viewed too closely, are.)
Better to mourn a blossom snatched away / Before it reached perfection, than behold / With dry, unhappy eyes, day after day, / The fresh bloom fade, and the fair leaf decay. / Better to lose the dream, with all its gold, / Than keep it till it changes to dull grey.
What this Textopian page supports
More Fortunate is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Romantic, Literary
- Length: 163 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for More Fortunate by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep reflections on life, loss, and the nature of happiness.
- Romantic — The content deals with emotions and memories related to love and loss.
- Literary — The writing style is sophisticated and focuses on the aesthetic quality of the language.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Love · Relationships · Heartbreak · Longing · Desire · Passion · Emotional · Introspective · Personal Growth · Self-Discovery