The Kettle by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of gossip and rumors spreading quickly through a small town. The narrator describes how a trivial incident involving a kettle is blown out of proportion and becomes the subject of widespread speculation and scandal-mongering. The poem critiques the tendency of people to engage in idle chatter and spread false information, highlighting the destructive power of gossip on individuals and communities.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1893 · Genre: Poetry, Domestic Fiction, Sentimental Literature · 369 words
First lines
There's many a house of grandeur, With turret, tower and dome, That knows not peace or comfort, And does not prove a home. _I_ do not ask for splendor To crown my daily lot, But this I ask -- a kitchen Where the kettle's always hot.
If things are not all ship-shape, I do not fume or fret, A little clean disorder Does not my nerves upset. But _one_ thing is essential, Or seems so to my thought, And that's a tidy kitchen Where the kettle's always hot.
What this Textopian page supports
The Kettle 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, Domestic Fiction, Sentimental Literature, Philosophical Literature
- Length: 369 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a rhythmic and rhyming structure.
- Domestic Fiction — The themes revolve around household life, comfort, and the importance of a warm, welcoming home.
- Sentimental Literature — The work evokes emotions related to home, warmth, and familial love.
- Philosophical Literature — The text reflects on deeper meanings of comfort, love, and the essence of a home.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Love · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Whimsical · Fantasy · Dreamy · Emotional · Introspective · Contemplative