The Phantom Ball
The story revolves around a mysterious and supernatural baseball that seems to have a life of its own, bringing both good fortune and tragedy to those who possess it. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and redemption as the ball passes from one character to another, influencing their lives in profound ways.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1894 · Genre: Gothic, Horror, Supernatural · 396 words
First lines
You remember the hall on the corner? To-night as I walked down street I heard the sound of music, And the rhythmic beat and beat, In time to the pulsing measure Of lightly tripping feet.
And I turned and entered the doorway -- It was years since I had been there -- Years, and life seemed altered: Pleasure had changed to care. But again I was hearing the music And watching the dancers fair.
What this Textopian page supports
The Phantom Ball is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1894 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: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic, Horror, Supernatural, Poetry, Psychological
- Length: 396 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Phantom Ball 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Phantom Ball?
- How does this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Two Ghosts by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Men Made Gods by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Ghosts by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Intermediary by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Three Souls by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Earth Bound by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Gothic — The poem features dark, eerie themes, ghostly apparitions, and a macabre atmosphere.
- Horror — The imagery of skeletons, skulls, and funeral dirges evokes fear and dread.
- Supernatural — The presence of ghosts and phantoms places the work within the supernatural genre.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, with a focus on rhythm and meter.
Tags
Ghosts · Supernatural · Mystery · Romance · American Literature · 19th Century · Poetic Prose · Fiction · Novel · Classic · Literary Fiction · Fantasy