The Intruder by Madison Cawein
The poem explores themes of isolation, longing, and the presence of loss. It opens with a vivid description of a woman, an invalid, who is enveloped in a melancholic atmosphere, marked by the scent of dead roses. This setting reflects her emotional state, as she grapples with the absence of a loved one who has died. The imagery of the room, with its patterned wallpaper and stained carpet, symbolizes her mental anguish and the permanence of her grief. As she sits in solitude, the woman feels the weight of her loneliness, having not shed tears for a long time. The arrival of a knock at the door signals a shift; she perceives a familiar presence, which stirs her heart. The voice she hears is reminiscent of the deceased, evoking a mix of hope and despair. She refrains from looking, caught between the desire for connection and the fear of confronting her reality. The poem culminates in a moment of ambiguity, where the woman senses the presence of her lost love, filled with the scent of roses, yet she cannot see him. This presence seems to transcend the physical realm, merging with her soul. The final lines leave the reader questioning whether she is in the company of death or the spirit of her beloved, encapsulating the tension between life and loss, and the haunting nature of memory. The work ultimately reflects on the enduring impact of love and the struggle to reconcile with absence.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1909 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic · 516 words
First lines
There is a smell of roses in the room Tea-roses, dead of bloom; An invalid, she sits there in the gloom, And contemplates her doom.
The pattern of the paper, and the grain. Of carpet, with its stain, Have stamped themselves, like fever, on her brain, And grown a part of pain.
What this Textopian page supports
The Intruder is listed on Textopian as a short story by Madison Cawein, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic, Symbolism, Literary Fiction
- Length: 516 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Intruder by Madison Cawein
- 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 The Intruder?
- How does this short story by Madison Cawein fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Lockless Door by Robert Frost
- Gloamtide by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Genius Loci by Madison Cawein
- Bare Boughs by Madison Cawein
- Phantoms by Madison Cawein
- Death In Life by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and the presence of a lost figure align with Romantic ideals.
- Gothic — The atmosphere of gloom, death, and a haunting presence reflects Gothic elements.
- Symbolism — The use of roses and other imagery conveys deeper meanings and emotions.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Nature · Mystery · Intrigue · Psychological Thriller · Darkness · Isolation · Fear · Suspense · Tension · Conflict