Undine by Henry Van Dyke (1897)
The story revolves around a young woman who is a water spirit, living in the ocean and interacting with humans. She falls in love with a man but their relationship is doomed due to her supernatural nature. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of mixing human and supernatural worlds.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1897 · Genre: Poetry, Fantasy, Romance · 85 words
First lines
'Twas far away and long ago, When I was but a dreaming boy, This fairy tale of love and woe Entranced my heart with tearful joy; And while with white Undine I wept, Your spirit, -- ah, how strange it seems, Was cradled in some star, and slept, Unconscious of her coming dreams.
What this Textopian page supports
Undine is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Fantasy, Romance, Drama, Personal Reflection
- Length: 85 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Undine by Henry Van Dyke
- 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 Undine?
- How does this poem by Henry Van Dyke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Undine Lyrics Of Labour And Romance by Henry Van Dyke
- Clorinda by Oliver Herford
- The Woman And The Angel by Robert W. Service
- The Assignation by Lord Dunsany
- Behram And Eddetma by Madison Cawein
- The Fairy Pedant by W. B. Yeats
Genres
- Poetry — The work is composed in verse form, focusing on lyrical expression and emotional depth.
- Fantasy — The narrative involves elements of fairy tales and mythical beings, such as Undine.
- Romance — Themes of love and emotional connection are central to the narrative.
- Drama — The work contains dramatic elements, exploring themes of love and woe.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Romance · Poetry · Drama · Fantasy · Mythology · Germanic Folklore · Water Spirit · Love Story · Tragic Love · Literary Fiction · Symbolism