The Statue by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem tells the story of a woman who falls in love with a statue of a Greek god, which comes to life at night. The woman visits the statue every evening, and they share romantic moments together. However, their happiness is short-lived, as the statue returns to its inanimate state at dawn, leaving the woman heartbroken.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1886 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Inspirational · 361 words
First lines
A granite rock in the mountain side / Gazed on the world and was satisfied. / It watched the centuries come and go. / It welcomed the sunlight, yet loved the snow. / It grieved when the forest was forced to fall, / Yet joyed when steeples rose, white and tall, / In the valley below it, and thrilled to hear / The voice of the great town roaring near.
When the mountain stream from its idle play / Was caught by the mill wheel and borne away / And trained to labour, the grey rock mused / ‘Trees and verdure and stream are used / By Man the Master; but I remain / Friend of the mountain, and star, and plain, / Unchanged forever by God's decree, / While passing centuries bow to me.'
What this Textopian page supports
The Statue is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1886 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: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Inspirational, Allegory, Romanticism
- Length: 361 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Statue 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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Similar titles
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- When Love Is Lost by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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- Let Them Go by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions and the nature of transformation and purpose.
- Inspirational — The narrative conveys a message of hope and the potential for beauty and worth to emerge from adversity.
- Allegory — The story uses symbolic figures and actions to convey deeper moral and philosophical meanings.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Love Story · Tragic Love · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Classic Literature · Vintage Romance · Heartbreak · Loss