Going East
The narrative follows a young bride who moves from the East to the West with her husband, seeking to build a new life together. Initially filled with hope and love, she dedicates herself to domestic tasks and supports her husband as he works to establish their fortune. Over the years, as he focuses on accumulating wealth, she experiences a gradual decline in her health and spirit, feeling increasingly isolated despite their material success. As her husband expands their property and wealth, she becomes more aware of her own emotional and physical deterioration. The contrast between their lives becomes stark; while he revels in his financial gains, she longs for the simplicity and warmth of her former home and family. Her yearning for connection and the comforts of her past intensifies, highlighting the emotional toll of their pursuit of prosperity. Ultimately, her unfulfilled desires and the weight of her sacrifices lead to her demise. The husband, oblivious to her suffering, is left to confront the reality of her absence, symbolized by her body being returned to the East. The work explores themes of love, sacrifice, isolation, and the often-overlooked emotional costs of ambition and wealth.
By Frances Ellen Watkins Harper · First published 1865 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Realism · 488 words
First lines
She came from the East a fair, young bride, With a light and a bounding heart, To find in the distant West a home With her husband to make a start.
He builded his cabin far away, Where the prairie flower bloomed wild; Her love made lighter all his toil, And joy and hope around him smiled.
What this Textopian page supports
Going East is listed on Textopian as a poem by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, dated 1865 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
- Date: 1865 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Realism, Narrative, Historical
- Length: 488 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Going East by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
- 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 rhythm and meter typical of poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and the contrast between wealth and emotional fulfillment align with Romantic ideals.
- Realism — The depiction of everyday life, struggles, and emotional depth reflects Realist characteristics.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story of a woman's journey and emotional experiences.
Tags
American Literature · 19th Century Novel · Slavery · Abolitionism · Racism · Social Justice · Feminism · African American Experience · Migration · Identity · Coming of Age · Family Dynamics