The Gossips by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The story revolves around a small town where gossiping is a prevalent pastime. The protagonist, a young and beautiful woman, returns to her hometown after being away for several years. She becomes the subject of gossip and speculation among the townspeople, particularly the women. As she tries to rebuild her life, she faces numerous challenges and obstacles due to the malicious rumors spread about her.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1902 · Genre: Poetry, Fable, Romance · 754 words
First lines
A rose in my garden, the sweetest and fairest, / Was hanging her head through the long golden hours; / And early one morning I saw her tears falling, / And heard a low gossiping talk in the bowers. / The yellow Nasturtium, a spinster all faded, / Was telling a Lily what ailed the poor Rose: / "That wild roving Bee who was hanging about her, / Has jilted her squarely, as every one knows.
What this Textopian page supports
The Gossips is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1902 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: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Fable, Romance, Drama, Allegory
- Length: 754 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Gossips 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
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- Cheating Time by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, with a focus on rhythm, rhyme, and imagery.
- Fable — The narrative uses anthropomorphized flowers to convey a moral lesson about gossip and trust.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and relationships, particularly the interaction between the Rose and the Bee.
- Drama — The story contains elements of conflict, emotional tension, and resolution among the characters.
Tags
Romance · Drama · Social Commentary · Small Town Life · Gossip · Scandal · Marriage · Infidelity · Deception · Secrets · Lies · Rumors