Kismet by Virna Sheard (1911)
A narrative of passionate yet doomed love unfolds, charting the inner life of a devoted suitor whose ardor is met with ambiguous, even capricious responses from his beloved. The work chronicles a relentless pursuit of an ideal connection, where love appears as both a transcendent, all-consuming passion and a source of profound self-abnegation. The lover’s journey is marked by an initial fervor and complete surrender—sacrificing his emotional and spiritual well-being—only to encounter an object of desire whose allure is both enchanting and indifferent. Throughout the text, lyrical verses are interwoven with narrative episodes, emphasizing the stark contrasts between unbridled passion and the inevitable disillusionment that arises from unreciprocated affection. The beloved, depicted as enigmatic and impervious to entreaties, flirts with the tender agony of proximity and distance; her gestures oscillate between teasing welcome and silent refusal, leaving the admirer suspended in a state of perpetual yearning and self-doubt. The narrative examines the inexorable pull of fate (kismet) that molds the characters’ destinies. It raises profound questions about the cost of unconditional devotion, where personal identity is subsumed by the intensity of desire. As the lover pours his soul into the pursuit, his hope gradually dissipates—transforming fervent longing into resigned detachment. His initial readiness to sacrifice all is countered by the weight of continual rejection, leading him to close off his heart after the relentless torment of unmet expectations. Interlaced with themes of romantic fatalism, the work delves into a broader meditation on the nature of love itself. It suggests that the fervor which imbues and elevates the human spirit can also render it vulnerable to corrosion by the very absence of reciprocal feeling. The interplay of poetic imagery and narrative reflection invites an exploration of questions regarding personal agency and the paradox of surrendering to forces beyond control. The structured ambiguity in the relationship—where love is as much about inevitable loss as it is about transformative passion—captures the delicate balance between hope and despair. In essence, the text encapsulates the tragedy of a one-sided devotion, illustrating how an unyielding commitment to love, when unreturned, can culminate in both spiritual decay and a profound redefinition of self. The characters’ experiences mirror the eternal human conflict between desire and destiny, suggesting that even as love captivates and elevates, it may simultaneously spurn the seeker into a state of desolation and resigned acceptance.
By Virna Sheard · First published 1911 · Genre: Romance, Drama, Tragedy · 173 words
First lines
Love came to her unsought, Love served her many ways, And patiently Love followed her Throughout the nights and days.
Love spent his life for her And hid his tears and sighs; He bartered all his soul for her, With tender pleading eyes.
Her scarlet mouth that smiled, Mocked lightly at his woe, And while she would not bid him stay She did not bid him go.
But hope within him failed Until he pled no more -- And cold and still he turned his face Away from her heart's door.
What this Textopian page supports
Kismet is listed on Textopian as a short story by Virna Sheard, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Virna Sheard
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Drama, Tragedy, Poetry
- Length: 173 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Kismet by Virna Sheard
- 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 Kismet?
- How does this short story by Virna Sheard fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- A Song by Virna Sheard
- Was It Thy Face by Gilbert Parker
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Genres
- Romance — Centralizes love as a transformative, complex force that drives the narrative and emotional core.
- Drama — Emphasizes intense emotional conflict and character struggles, reflecting the deep interpersonal tension present in the text.
- Tragedy — Highlights themes of unfulfilled desire and loss, characteristic of tragic narratives.
- Poetry — Exhibits a lyrical structure and expressive language, reinforcing its identity as a poetic work.
Tags
destiny · romance · historical fiction · drama · society · cultural identity · betrayal · tragedy · passion · forbidden love · family conflict · exile