Music In The Flat
The poem explores the theme of a woman's desire for freedom and autonomy in a patriarchal society. The narrator describes her life in a small flat with her husband, where she feels trapped and suffocated by the monotony of domestic duties. She longs to break free from the confines of her marriage and indulge in the beauty of music, which symbolizes creativity, passion, and individuality.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1898 · Genre: Poetry, Domestic Fiction, Humor · 465 words
First lines
When Tom and I were married, we took a little flat; I had a taste for singing and playing and all that. And Tom, who loved to hear me, said he hoped I would not stop All practice, like so many wives who let their music drop. So I resolved to set apart an hour or two each day To keeping vocal chords and hands in trim to sing and play.
The second morning I had been for half an hour or more At work on Haydn's masses, when a tap came at my door. A nurse who wore a dainty cap and apron, and a smile, Ran down to ask if I would cease my music for awhile. The lady in the flat above was very ill, she said, And the sound of my piano was distracting to her head.
What this Textopian page supports
Music In The Flat 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, Domestic Fiction, Humor, Realism, Social Commentary
- Length: 465 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Music In The Flat by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form with a rhythmic and rhyming structure.
- Domestic Fiction — The narrative focuses on the daily life and challenges faced by a married couple in their home.
- Humor — The poem uses a light-hearted and humorous tone to describe the protagonist's struggles with practicing music.
- Realism — The story portrays realistic and relatable situations involving neighbors and domestic life.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Romanticism · Love Poems · Nature Inspired · Imagery Rich · Emotional Depth · Feminist Themes · Personal Reflections · Introspective · Melancholic Tone · Symbolism