The Wife Speaks by Helen Hay Whitney
This novel explores the inner life of a woman who has been married for many years and is now facing the reality of her husband's infidelity. The story delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships. Through the protagonist's narrative, the reader gains insight into the societal expectations placed on women during this time period and the limited options available to them in the face of marital crisis.
By Helen Hay Whitney · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Drama · 135 words
First lines
Not all those women you have loved and left, O my Beloved, can stir my jealousy; Not the light loves which you forgot for me, For my heart's fingers made by life most deft Have mended all the rents their arrows cleft And from their old enchantments set you free. But one is my despair, and only she, The one who loved you, hopeless and bereft.
How can I give as much, who hold your heart As she, unloved who gave with scorn of gain? So do the angels; at her name I smart And feel a sordid bargainer who gives For fair exchange; I cannot heal the pain, I am defeated by her while she lives.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wife Speaks is listed on Textopian as a poem by Helen Hay Whitney, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Drama, Psychological
- Length: 135 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wife Speaks by Helen Hay Whitney
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and emotional relationships.
- Drama — The narrative explores intense emotional conflict and personal despair.
- Psychological — The work delves into the inner thoughts and feelings of the speaker, examining jealousy and self-worth.
Tags
Memoir · Autobiography · Biographical · Nonfiction · Literary · Historical · Romance · Marriage · Family · Social Class · 19th Century · American Literature
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