The Playmate by Helen Hay Whitney

Name: The Playmate
Author: Helen Hay Whitney

The novel revolves around a young woman who becomes involved with an older man and his family. The story explores themes of love, class differences, and the complexities of relationships.

By Helen Hay Whitney · First published 1909 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Nature · 82 words

First lines

Brown boy running on a wide wet beach, Free as the water and the wind are free; Eyes of an odalisque and skin of a peach, O for such a playmate to play with me! --

Drenched with the sunshine of the long brave hours, How we would tumble in the white wild spray; Then, drowsy children, fall asleep like the flowers, And wake keen and merry to a new clean day.

What this Textopian page supports

The Playmate is listed on Textopian as a short story by Helen Hay Whitney, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Nature
Length: 82 words
Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Playmate 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
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Playmate?
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?

Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
Children's Literature — The themes of playfulness and innocence, along with the imagery of children playing, align with children's literature.
Nature — The vivid descriptions of natural elements like the beach, water, and sunshine emphasize a connection to nature.