The Housekeeper by Robert Frost
The story revolves around a housekeeper who has been tasked with cleaning the home of a wealthy family. She is meticulous and thorough in her work, but also possesses a deep sense of resentment towards her employers. As she cleans, she reflects on the lives of those who live in the house, noting their superficiality and lack of genuine connection to one another. The housekeeper's own life is marked by loneliness and isolation, and she feels a sense of disconnection from the world around her. The narrative explores themes of class, social status, and the human condition, raising questions about the nature of relationships and the meaning of life. Through the housekeeper's character, the story highlights the tensions between appearance and reality, and the ways in which societal expectations can shape our experiences and perceptions.
By Robert Frost · First published 1920 · Genre: Drama, Domestic Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 2,707 words
First lines
I let myself in at the kitchen door.
"It's you," she said. "I can't get up. Forgive me Not answering your knock. I can no more Let people in than I can keep them out.
What this Textopian page supports
The Housekeeper is listed on Textopian as a novella by Robert Frost, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Robert Frost
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Domestic Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Tragedy, Realism
- Length: 2,707 words
- Structure: 1 section, 165 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Housekeeper by Robert Frost
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Housekeeper?
- How does this novella by Robert Frost fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Hill Wife by Robert Frost
- The Little Hill by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Death Of The Hired Man by Robert Frost
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Genres
- Drama — The narrative focuses on intense emotional and relational conflicts, particularly within a family setting.
- Domestic Fiction — The story revolves around household dynamics and the personal lives of the characters within a domestic environment.
- Psychological Fiction — The work delves into the psychological states and motivations of the characters, exploring themes of regret, responsibility, and emotional turmoil.
- Tragedy — The narrative contains elements of personal downfall and misfortune, particularly in the relationships and life choices of the characters.
Tags
Domesticity · Poetry · Nature · Isolation · Loneliness · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Psychological Insight · Symbolism · Imagery · Realism