Over the Banisters
The story revolves around a romantic triangle between three main characters: Kathleen, a beautiful and charming Irish girl; Dr. Robert Merrick, a wealthy and successful doctor; and Harold Wynne, a poor but talented poet. The novel explores themes of love, class, and social status as the characters navigate their relationships with each other.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1896 · Genre: Romance, Poetry, Drama · 268 words
First lines
Over the banisters bends a face, Daringly sweet and beguiling. Somebody stands in careless grace And watching the picture, smiling.
The light burns dim in the hall below, Nobody sees her standing, Saying good-night again, soft and low, Halfway up to the landing.
Nobody only the eyes of brown, Tender and full of meaning, That smile on the fairest face in town, Over the banisters leaning.
Tired and sleepy, with drooping head, I wonder why she lingers; Now, when the good-nights all are said, Why, somebody holds her fingers.
What this Textopian page supports
Over the Banisters is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Poetry, Drama, Victorian Literature
- Length: 268 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Over the Banisters 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 Over the Banisters?
- How does this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Red Carnations by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- To Iris by Edith Nesbit
- Loves Mirage by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Helena by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- To The Beloved by Alice Meynell
Genres
- Romance — The poem centers on a romantic interaction between two individuals, highlighting themes of love and affection.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form, employing poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Drama — The narrative contains elements of dramatic tension and emotional expression.
- Victorian Literature — The style and themes are characteristic of the Victorian era, focusing on romantic and sentimental elements.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Love · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Victorian Era · American Literature · Women Authors · Feminist Themes · Emotional Expression · Personal Reflections