Undine 2 by Henry Van Dyke (1898)
The story revolves around a young woman who dies after giving birth to twins and is transformed into a water nymph by the sea goddess. She is sent back to the world of humans to find her lost love, but he has forgotten her. The nymph's attempts to win him back are thwarted by his new wife, leading to a tragic confrontation.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1898 · Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Poetry · 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 2 is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Poetry, Drama
- Length: 85 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Undine 2 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 2?
- How does this poem by Henry Van Dyke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Undine Lyrics Dramatic And Personal by Henry Van Dyke
- Clorinda by Oliver Herford
- Behram And Eddetma by Madison Cawein
- The Woman And The Angel by Robert W. Service
- The Love Charm by Johann Ludwig Tieck
- The Priest And The Fairy by W. B. Yeats
Genres
- Romance — The text is centered around themes of love and emotional connection, which are characteristic of the romance genre.
- Fantasy — The mention of a fairy tale and the character Undine suggests elements of fantasy, involving magical or supernatural themes.
- Poetry — The lyrical and rhythmic style of the writing, as well as its structure, aligns with the characteristics of poetry.
- Drama — The emotional depth and exploration of personal and relational conflict are indicative of dramatic elements.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Romance · Poetry · Mythology · Germanic Folklore · Water Spirit · Love Story · Tragic Love · Literary Fiction · Symbolism · Allegory · Fantasy