The Fish-Girl's Song by Ida Lee
In this novella, a young woman with the physical appearance of a fish is forced to live on land due to her unusual condition. She struggles to adapt and find acceptance in a society that fears and rejects her. The story explores themes of identity, isolation, and the human desire for connection.
By Ida Lee · First published 1865 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Slice of Life · 224 words
First lines
Clang! Clang! Clang!
I set my basket down; The bells hang high in the belfry tower, And tell the folk 'tis the evening hour, Through in and out the town.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
O hush my wooden shoon!
What this Textopian page supports
The Fish-Girl's Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ida Lee, dated 1865 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ida Lee
- Date: 1865 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious, Slice of Life, Historical
- Length: 224 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fish-Girl's Song by Ida Lee
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- The Water Frog by Ida Lee
- The Spire Cranes by Dylan Thomas
- The Corn Song by James Baldwin
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in stanzas with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Religious — The themes of prayer, sacred spaces, and heavenly boons suggest a religious or spiritual context.
- Slice of Life — The depiction of daily routines and personal reflections provides a glimpse into everyday life.
- Historical — The use of terms like 'wooden shoon' and the setting of a belfry tower suggest a historical or traditional context.
Tags
Feminist Fiction · Coming-of-Age Story · Magical Realism · Mythological Retelling · Environmentalism · Social Commentary · Young Adult Literature · Literary Fiction · Poetic Prose · Symbolic Imagery · Water as Metaphor · Female Empowerment