The Woman by Madison Cawein (1902)
The poem explores the complex interplay between beauty, desire, and emotional destruction. The speaker is captivated by a woman's physical allure, which he equates with a divine experience, creating a sense of worship. However, this admiration is juxtaposed with the recognition of her cruelty and lack of genuine humanity. The woman is portrayed as a manipulative figure who plays with the emotions of others, leading them to despair and ruin. The speaker acknowledges the pain inflicted by her actions, describing how she lures souls from peace only to destroy them, casting them aside without remorse. Despite this awareness, he expresses an unwillingness to abandon his infatuation, suggesting that the intensity of his passion, even in suffering, is preferable to a life devoid of such fervor. The poem ultimately reflects on the duality of love and obsession, where beauty can be both enchanting and devastating, leaving the speaker trapped in a cycle of desire and despair.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 198 words
First lines
With her fair face she made my heaven, Beneath whose stars and moon and sun I worshiped, praying, having striven, For wealth through which she might be won.
And yet she had no soul: A woman As fair and cruel as a god; Who played with hearts as nothing human, And tossed them by and on them trod.
She killed a soul; she did it nightly; Luring it forth from peace and prayer, To strangle it, and laughing lightly, Cast it into the gutter there.
And yet, not for a purer vision Would I exchange; or Paradise Possess instead of Hell, my prison, Where burns the passion of her eyes.
What this Textopian page supports
The Woman is listed on Textopian as a poem 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: Poem
- Author: Madison Cawein
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Tragedy, Dark Romanticism
- Length: 198 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, beauty, and idealization of the woman reflect Romantic ideals.
- Symbolism — The poem uses symbols to convey deeper meanings about love and desire.
- Tragedy — The themes of suffering and the destructive nature of love suggest tragic elements.
Tags
Poetry · Literary Fiction · Feminist Themes · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Symbolism · Imagery · Figurative Language · Metaphor · Simile · Alliteration · Assonance