Trifles by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the idea that women's domestic work and emotional labor are undervalued and overlooked by society. The speaker describes a scene where a group of men are discussing important issues while a woman is concerned with trifles, or small, insignificant things. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that these "trifles" are actually crucial to the well-being of the family and community.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Melancholy · 206 words
First lines
Only a spar from a broken ship Washed in by a careless wave; But it brought back the smile of a vanished lip, And his past peered out of the grave.
Only a leaf that an idle breeze Tossed at her passing feet; But she seemed to stand under the dear old trees, And life again was sweet.
Only the bar of a tender strain They sang in days gone by; But the old love woke in her heart again, The love they had sworn should die.
Only the breath of a faint perfume That floated up from a rose; But the bolts slid back from a marble tomb, And I looked on a dear dead face.
What this Textopian page supports
Trifles is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Melancholy, Nostalgia, Philosophical
- Length: 206 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Trifles 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Trifles?
- How does this short story by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Romance — Themes of love and emotional reminiscence are central to the text.
- Melancholy — The tone and themes reflect a sense of longing and sorrow.
- Nostalgia — The text frequently references past experiences and memories.
Tags
Marriage · Relationships · Women's Rights · Feminism · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Irony · Critique of Patriarchy · Domestic Life · Gender Roles · Societal Expectations