At the Stile by Madison Cawein
The poem explores themes of love, betrayal, and unrequited feelings through a dialogue between two characters, Harry and a young woman who is revealed to be Mary's sister. The setting is pastoral, with imagery of stars and nature enhancing the emotional landscape. The narrative begins with Harry's affectionate gesture towards the woman, mistaking her for Mary, which sets the tone for the ensuing conversation. The woman expresses her feelings of love and disappointment, revealing that Harry's affections are directed towards her sister, Mary. This creates a poignant contrast between the idealized notion of love and the harsh reality of unreciprocated feelings. As the dialogue unfolds, the woman reflects on the transient nature of love, suggesting that it can be both a giver and a taker. She accuses Harry of being false, highlighting the pain of her unrequited love. The imagery of the stars serves as a backdrop to their emotional exchange, symbolizing both hope and sorrow. The woman's lamentation culminates in a foreboding acknowledgment of her fate, as she predicts her own demise while Harry and Mary prepare for their union. This adds a layer of tragedy to the narrative, emphasizing the depth of her feelings and the inevitability of her sorrow. Ultimately, the poem captures the complexities of love, the interplay of desire and rejection, and the emotional turmoil that accompanies unfulfilled longing. The use of natural imagery and the dialogue format effectively convey the characters' inner struggles, leaving a lasting impression of heartache and resignation.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Lyric · 330 words
First lines
Young Harry leapt over the stile and kissed her, Over the stile the stars a-winking; He thought it was Mary -- 't was Mary's sister -- And love hath a way of thinking.
"Thy pail, sweetheart, I will take and carry. " -- Over the stile the stars hang yellow. -- "Just to the spring, my sweetheart Harry. " -- And love is a heartless fellow.
What this Textopian page supports
At the Stile is listed on Textopian as a short story by Madison Cawein, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Lyric, Narrative, Nature
- Length: 330 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
- The Two April Mornings by William Wordsworth
- Strange Fits Of Passion I Have Known by William Wordsworth
- Pastoral by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Not In A Silver Casket by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Lady Of The Hills by Madison Cawein
- Rest by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and relationships, highlighting romantic feelings and conflicts.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story involving characters and a sequence of events.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Romance · Love · Loss · Grief · Memory · Nostalgia · Longing · Yearning · Solitude · Isolation