Spectres by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the idea that past experiences and emotions continue to haunt an individual, likening them to specters that cannot be escaped. The speaker describes how memories of joy and sorrow linger, influencing their present and future. The work delves into the human psyche, highlighting the lasting impact of life events on one's being.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1900 · Genre: Poetry, Gothic, Psychological · 330 words
First lines
How terrible these nights are when alone With our scarred hearts, we sit in solitude, And some old sorrow, to the world unknown, Does suddenly with silent steps intrude.
After the guests departed, and the light Burned dimly in my room, there came to me, As noiselessly as shadows of the night, The spectre of a woe that used to be.
What this Textopian page supports
Spectres is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1900 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: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Gothic, Psychological, Philosophical
- Length: 330 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Gothic — The themes of solitude, sorrow, and the presence of a spectre align with Gothic literature.
- Psychological — The focus on internal emotions and the confrontation with past traumas suggests a psychological exploration.
- Philosophical — The contemplation of existential themes such as death and suffering indicates a philosophical dimension.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Romanticism · Spirituality · Mystery · Supernatural · Philosophy · Psychology · Self-Discovery · Esoteric · Occult