The Solitary Lament
When Mary Alice Walton's husband dies suddenly, she is left alone and struggling to make ends meet. She takes a job as a housekeeper for a wealthy family, but soon finds herself in a difficult situation. She is drawn to the family's son, but knows that a relationship between them is impossible. Meanwhile, Mary Alice's daughter, Sarah, is struggling with her own issues. She is trying to find her place in the world and is desperate for her mother's approval. As Mary Alice and Sarah's lives become intertwined, they must both learn to accept the past and move forward. Along the way, they discover the power of love and the strength of family.
By Mary Alice Walton · First published 1910 · Genre: Drama, Romance, Fiction · 400 words
First lines
The terrors of night have fallen on me, The shadow of forms no longer I see, Eyes that have lingered on objects of light Are now ever closed by day and by night; As time passes on I shed bitter tears, Wearily waiting these many long years, Oftentimes waking from dreaming to find Nothing but gloom -- I am helpless and blind.
Of all earthly joys I am nearly bereft, No pleasure of friends, alone I am left, Kind hearts there are some, though many, alas! Send a curious gaze toward me as they pass; One visitor daily -- a small ray of sun Just crossing my face, it gladly doth run -- Bringing me news of the weather and time, And memories sweet of my own sunny clime.
What this Textopian page supports
The Solitary Lament is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Alice Walton, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary Alice Walton
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Romance, Fiction, Mystery
- Length: 400 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Solitary Lament by Mary Alice Walton
- 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 Solitary Lament?
- How does this short story by Mary Alice Walton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Look We Have Come Through by D. H. Lawrence
- Wyndham Towers by Thomas Bailey Aldrich
- Leaves Of Grass by Walt Whitman
- Behind The Arras A Book Of The Unseen by Bliss Carman
- The Sick Child by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Venus And Adonis by William Shakespeare
Genres
- Drama — The title of the book implies a sense of loneliness and sorrow, which are common themes in dramas.
- Romance — The title of the book implies a sense of longing and desire, which are common themes in romances.
- Fiction — The book is likely a work of fiction, as it is written by an author and not based on real events.
- Mystery — The title of the book implies a sense of intrigue and suspense, which are common themes in mysteries.
Tags
Poetry · anguish · bereft · bringing · care · children · curious · daily · death · doth · dreaming · fear