Lizzie and the Baby by Eugene Field
The poem tells the story of a young girl named Lizzie who dies after giving birth to an illegitimate child. The narrative explores themes of shame, guilt, and redemption as Lizzie's spirit seeks forgiveness and peace in the afterlife.
By Eugene Field · First published 1897 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Humor · 333 words
First lines
I wonder ef all wimmin air Like Lizzie is when we go out To theaters an' concerts where Is things the papers talk about.
Do other wimmin fret an' stew Like they wuz bein' crucified -- Frettin' a show or concert through, With wonderin' ef the baby cried?
What this Textopian page supports
Lizzie and the Baby is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Humor, Children's Literature, Social Commentary
- Length: 333 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lizzie and the Baby by Eugene Field
- 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
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Literary Fiction — The themes explore familial relationships and emotional depth, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Humor — The narrative contains light-hearted observations and a humorous take on parental concerns.
- Children's Literature — The subject matter and tone are suitable for a younger audience, reflecting on childhood and parenting.
Tags
Poetry · Children's Literature · Nursery Rhymes · American Literature · 19th Century · Whimsical · Fantasy · Imagination · Youthful · Innocence · Playfulness · Humor