The Old Maid by Helen Hay Whitney
A young woman inherits a fortune from her great-aunt and must navigate the complexities of her new wealth while dealing with her own sense of identity and purpose.
By Helen Hay Whitney · First published 1924 · Genre: Poetry, Drama, Romance · 139 words
First lines
Ah, Heaven! How soon my body will be old! I powder and I perfume and I tire With the long wasting of my one desire. I choose fair colors, furs, and antique gold To draw men's eyes and hands, and yet how cold, How careless are their eyes. I see the fire Flame from my neighbor, and I can aspire To only friendship. I have tried the bold, The luring attitude, the timid mien, The boyish, wise, or simple, all in vain. I know the women laugh at me, but oh, How can I let my dreamed perfection go? I am a woman, I must have a man Only to ratify my nature's plan.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Maid is listed on Textopian as a short story by Helen Hay Whitney, dated 1924 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Helen Hay Whitney
- Date: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Drama, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary
- Length: 139 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Maid by Helen Hay Whitney
- 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
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Old Maid?
- How does this short story by Helen Hay Whitney fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- Drama — The narrative explores intense emotional and personal conflicts, characteristic of dramatic literature.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around desire and the pursuit of romantic fulfillment.
- Psychological Fiction — The work delves into the internal struggles and emotional states of the protagonist.
Tags
Novel · Romance · Fiction · Short Story Collection · American Literature · Classic · Social Commentary · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Love Triangle · Society · Class System
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