Two Sat Down by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of unrequited love and the consequences of societal expectations on personal relationships. The narrator describes two individuals who sit together, yet remain emotionally distant due to the constraints imposed by their social circle. The poem delves into the emotional turmoil experienced by the protagonist as they struggle to express their true feelings, highlighting the suffocating nature of societal norms that stifle genuine human connections.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1889 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Social Commentary · 221 words
First lines
Two sat down in the morning time, / One to sing and one to spin. / All men listened the song sublime- / But no one listened the dull wheel's din.
The singer sat in a pleasant nook, / And sang of a life that was fair and sweet, / While the spinner sat with a steadfast look, / Busily plying her hands and feet.
The singer sang on with a rose in her hair, / And all men listened her dulcet tone; / And the spinner spun on with a dull despair / Down in her heart as she sat alone.
But lo! on the morrow no one said / Aught of the singer or what she sang. / Men were saying: "Behold this thread," / And loud the praise of the spinner rang.
What this Textopian page supports
Two Sat Down is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1889 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: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Social Commentary, Literary Fiction
- Length: 221 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Two Sat Down by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs rhyme and meter.
- Philosophical — The themes explore the value of different types of work and the nature of recognition and legacy.
- Social Commentary — The narrative contrasts societal perceptions of artistic versus manual labor.
- Literary Fiction — The work uses literary techniques to delve into human experiences and societal norms.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Love · Relationships · Emotions · Intimacy · Desire · Passion · Longing · Yearning · Tenderness · Sensuality