Heine's "Widow or Daughter. "
The poem explores the theme of grief and loss through the speaker's lamentation over a deceased loved one. The speaker describes the widow or daughter left behind, emphasizing their emotional pain and struggle to cope with the loss. The tone is melancholic and introspective, conveying a sense of longing and yearning for the departed.
By Eugene Field · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Romantic Comedy, Satire · 124 words
First lines
Shall I woo the one or the other? Both attract me -- more's the pity! Pretty is the widowed mother, And the daughter, too, is pretty.
When I see that maiden shrinking, By the gods, I swear I'll get 'er! But, anon, I fall to thinking That the mother'll suit me better!
So, like any idiot ass -- Hungry for the fragrant fodder, Placed between two bales of grass, Lo, I doubt, delay, and dodder!
What this Textopian page supports
Heine's "Widow or Daughter. " is listed on Textopian as a short story by Eugene Field, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romantic Comedy, Satire, Lyric, Narrative
- Length: 124 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Heines Widow Or Daughter by Eugene Field
- The Lament Of A Vanquished Beau by Langston Hughes
- Recuerdo by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Ballad Of Chaldon Down by Edna St Vincent Millay
- By And Bye by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Think Not by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Romantic Comedy — The themes revolve around romantic attraction and humorous indecision between two potential love interests.
- Satire — The poem humorously critiques the speaker's indecisiveness and societal norms regarding love.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts of the speaker regarding love and attraction.
Tags
American Literature · 19th Century · Poetry · Romance · Family Relationships · Women's Roles · Social Class · Marriage · Identity · Society · Culture · Tradition