The Decadent by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of a person's descent into decadence and moral decay. It describes how an individual, once full of life and vitality, becomes corrupted by their own desires and indulgences. The speaker reflects on their past, remembering when they were pure and innocent, but now they are consumed by their own selfishness and hedonism.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1893 · Genre: Poetry, Decadent Literature, Philosophical Fiction · 156 words
First lines
Among the virile hosts he passed along, Conspicuous for an undetermined grace Of sexless beauty. In his form and face God's mighty purpose somehow had gone wrong. Then on his loom, he wove a careful song, Of sensuous threads; a wordy web of lace Wherein the primal passions of the race And his own sins made wonder for the throng.
A little pen prick opened up a vein, And gave the finished mesh a crimson blot- The last consummate touch of studied art. But those who knew strong passion and keen pain, Looked through and through the pattern and found not One single great emotion of the heart.
What this Textopian page supports
The Decadent is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Decadent Literature, Philosophical Fiction, Romanticism, Symbolism
- Length: 156 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Decadent Literature — The themes and style reflect the characteristics of the Decadent movement, including a focus on beauty, artifice, and moral ambiguity.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores deep questions about human nature, purpose, and emotion.
- Romanticism — There is an emphasis on individual emotion and the sublime, aligning with Romantic ideals.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Philosophy · Psychological Fiction · Dark Fantasy · Gothic · Mystery · Supernatural · Occult · Esoteric · Spirituality · Metaphysics