The Giddy Girl by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem tells the story of a young woman who has lost her lover and is now grieving his death. She remembers their time together, how he used to call her "the giddy girl," and how she would laugh and play with him. Now, she is left alone, mourning his loss and feeling the weight of her sorrow.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1892 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Fantasy · 511 words
First lines
[This recitation is intended to be given with an accompaniment of waltz / music, introducing dance-steps at the refrain "With one, two, three," / etc.]
A giddy young maiden with nimble feet, / Heigh-ho! alack and alas! / Declared she would far rather dance than eat, / And the truth of it came to pass. / For she danced all day and she danced all night; / She danced till the green earth faded white; / She danced ten partners out of breath; / She danced the eleventh one quite to death; / And still she redowaed up and down -- / The giddiest girl in town.
What this Textopian page supports
The Giddy Girl is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1892 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: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Fantasy, Tragedy, Satire
- Length: 511 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Giddy Girl 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 with a rhythmic and rhyming structure.
- Humor — The narrative employs a light-hearted and whimsical tone, focusing on the absurdity of the protagonist's actions.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as dancing to death and being stuck on a star.
- Tragedy — The protagonist's fate is ultimately tragic, as she dances herself into a dire situation.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · American Literature · Feminist Literature · Love Poems · Relationships · Women's Rights · Suffrage Movement · Early 20th Century · Social Commentary · Marriage · Gender Roles