The Coward by Helen Hay Whitney
The novel revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security and social status. She struggles with feelings of guilt and inadequacy due to her husband's infidelity and her own lack of passion in the relationship. The story explores themes of love, morality, and the societal expectations placed on women during this time period.
By Helen Hay Whitney · First published 1901 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Reflective · 53 words
First lines
Wishful of many honors, He was too lame to climb, And so he sat to wait for Death, Forgetting to be brave.
He never saw the windfalls, From off the trees of Time, Drop down in mellow chance to him The while he digged his grave.
What this Textopian page supports
The Coward is listed on Textopian as a poem by Helen Hay Whitney, dated 1901 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Helen Hay Whitney
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Reflective, Allegorical
- Length: 53 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential concepts such as mortality and the passage of time.
- Reflective — The narrative reflects on personal introspection and the consequences of inaction.
- Allegorical — The text uses metaphorical language to convey deeper moral and philosophical meanings.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Coming-of-Age Story · Social Commentary · Realistic Portrayal · Character Study · Emotional Depth · Inner Turmoil · Self-Discovery · Moral Ambiguity · Social Satire · Critique of Society · Human Nature
More by Helen Hay Whitney
- Sonnets (1905)
- Songs (1905)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: THE DAYS (1898)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: THE EVERLASTING SNOWS (1898)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: THRONE AND ALTAR (1898)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: EAST AND WEST (1898)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: THE BATTLE (1898)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: WATER AND WINE (1898)
- All works by Helen Hay Whitney