The Tower-Room
The story revolves around a young woman who falls in love with a wealthy and handsome man. Despite their social differences, they get married, but the woman soon realizes that her husband is selfish and cruel. She becomes trapped in a tower room of his mansion, where she is forced to live in isolation. The husband's cruelty drives her to madness, and eventually, she dies under mysterious circumstances.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Inspirational, Philosophical · 231 words
First lines
There is a room serene and fair, All palpitant with light and air; Free from the dust, world's noise and fuss- God's Tower-room in each of us.
Oh! many a stair our feet must press, And climb from self to selflessness, Before we reach that radiant room Above the discord and the gloom.
So many, many stairs to climb, But mount them gently-take your time; Rise leisurely, nor strive to run- Not so the mightiest feats are done.
Well doing of the little things: Repression of the word that stings; The tempest of the mind made still By victory of the God-like will.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tower-Room is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Inspirational, Philosophical, Religious, Self-help
- Length: 231 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Tower-Room 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 Tower-Room?
- How does this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- In Absence by Edith Nesbit
- Who May With The Shrewd Hours Strive by Arthur Willis Colton
- Haunted by Edith Nesbit
- The Retreat by Alice Meynell
- Fair Rosamond by Bernard Capes
- Fear by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse, with a focus on rhythm and rhyme.
- Inspirational — Themes of self-improvement, spiritual growth, and inner peace are central.
- Philosophical — Explores deep questions about selflessness, the human condition, and the divine.
- Religious — References to God and spiritual ascent suggest a religious undertone.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Romance · Mystery · Supernatural · Fantasy · Historical Fiction · Medieval Setting · Castle · Tower · Isolation · Loneliness · Fear