The Singer Mother by Eugene Field
The poem tells the story of a mother's love and sacrifice for her child. The mother sings lullabies to her child, hoping to soothe its pain and bring it comfort. As the child grows older, the mother's songs become less frequent, but their bond remains strong. The poem explores themes of maternal love, nostalgia, and the passage of time.
By Eugene Field · First published 1896 · Genre: Tragedy, Fantasy, Drama · 1,840 words
First lines
Once, as Death walked the earth in search of some fair flower upon which he could breathe his icy breath, he met the graceful and pleasing spirit who is called Ambition.
"Good morrow," quoth Death, "let us journey a time together. Both of us are hale fellows; let us henceforth be travelling companions."
What this Textopian page supports
The Singer Mother is listed on Textopian as a short story by Eugene Field, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Fantasy, Drama, Moral Tale, Poetry
- Length: 1,840 words
- Structure: 1 section, 57 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Singer Mother 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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Similar titles
- An Old Song by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Child And Mother by Eugene Field
- The Lullaby by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- A Mothers Birthday Songs Of Hearth And Altar by Henry Van Dyke
- Fathers Letter by Eugene Field
- Before And After by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Tragedy — The narrative centers on the tragic consequences of Griselda's choices, leading to the loss of her child.
- Fantasy — The presence of personified concepts like Death and Ambition creates a fantastical element in the story.
- Drama — The emotional conflicts and character interactions drive the plot, typical of dramatic literature.
- Moral Tale — The story conveys moral lessons about the dangers of ambition and neglecting familial responsibilities.
Tags
Motherhood · Singing · Family · Love · Nostalgia · Childhood · Memories · Poetry · Emotional · Introspective · Personal · Reflective