Two Rooms by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The story revolves around a woman who is torn between her love for a poor but noble man and her desire for wealth and social status offered by a wealthy suitor. She ultimately chooses the wealthy man, but soon realizes that she has made a mistake and that her heart belongs to the poor man. The novel explores themes of love, class, and identity as the protagonist navigates her complicated emotions and tries to find happiness.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1893 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Tragedy · 221 words
First lines
One room is full of luxury, and dim With that soft moonlit radiance of light That she best loves, who sits and dreams of him Her heart has crowned as knight.
And one is bare, and comfortless, and dim With that strange, fitful glimmer that is shed By candles casting shadows weird and grim, Above the sheeted dead.
In one, a round and beautiful young face Is full of wordless rapture; and so fair You know her breast is joy's best dwelling-place; You know sweet love is there.
In one, there lies a white and wasted face Whereon is frozen such supreme despair, You need but look to know what left the trace; You know love _has been_ there.
What this Textopian page supports
Two Rooms 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, Romance, Tragedy, Drama
- Length: 221 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Two Rooms 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 Two Rooms?
- 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
- After by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- No Song by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- A Mans Good Bye by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- I Saw Thee Weep by Lord Byron
- Before And After by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Parting by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and its emotional impact on the characters.
- Tragedy — The narrative includes elements of profound despair and loss, particularly in the context of unfulfilled love.
- Drama — The work explores intense emotional experiences and conflicts between characters.
Tags
Poetry · Love · Death · Grief · Loss · Mourning · Sorrow · Longing · Separation · Yearning · Spirituality · Afterlife