The Heart of Angiolillo

Name: The Heart of Angiolillo
Author: Voltairine De Cleyre

This work is a philosophical and poetic exploration of the human condition, focusing on themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning. It is written in a lyrical style that blends elements of poetry and prose to convey the complexities of the human experience. The narrative follows the protagonist as they grapple with the aftermath of a personal tragedy, seeking solace in the beauty of nature and the wisdom of ancient philosophers. Along the way, they encounter various characters who embody different aspects of the human condition, from the passionate and all-consuming love of Angiolillo to the detached and analytical perspective of the philosopher. Throughout the work, the author explores themes of existentialism, nihilism, and the search for transcendence in a seemingly meaningless world. The narrative is characterized by its use of symbolism, metaphor, and imagery to convey the complexities of human emotion and experience. Ultimately, the work presents a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, one that challenges readers to confront their own mortality and the fleeting nature of life.

By Voltairine De Cleyre · First published 1901 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Tragedy · 4,797 words

First lines

Some women are born to love stories as the sparks fly upward. You see it every time they glance at you, and you feel it every time they lay a finger on your sleeve. There was a party the other night, and a four-year old baby who couldn't sleep for the noise crept down into the parlor half frightened to death and transfixed with wonderment at the crude performances of an obtuse visitor who was shouting out the woes of Othello. One kindly little woman took the baby in her arms and said: "What would they do to you, if you made all that noise. " -- "Whip me," whispered the child, her round black eyes half admiration and half terror, and altogether coquettish, as she hid and peered round the woman's neck. And every man in the room forthwith fell in love with her, and wanted to smother his face in the bewitching rings of dark hair that crowned the dainty head, and carry her about on his shoulders, or get down on his hands and knees to play horse for her, or let her walk on his neck, or obliterate his dignity in any other way she might prefer. The boys tolerated their fathers with a superior "huh! " Fourteen or fifteen years from now they will be playing the humble cousin of the horse before the same little ringed-haired lady, and having sported Nick Bottom's ears to no purpose, half a dozen or so will go off and hang themselves, or turn monk, or become "bold, bad men," and revenge themselves on the sex. But her conquests will go on, and when those gracious rings are white as snow the children of those boys will follow in their grandfathers' and fathers' steps and dangle after her, and make drawings on their fly leaves of that sweet kiss-cup of a mouth of hers, and call her their elder sister, and other devotional names. And the other girls of her generation, who were not born with that marvelous entangling grace in every line and look, will dread her and spite her, and feel mean satisfaction when some poor fool does swallow laudanum on her account. Smiles of glacial virtue will creep over their faces like slippery sunshine, when one by one her devotees come trailing off to them to say that such a woman could never fill a man's heart nor become the ornament of his hearthstone; the quiet virtues that wear, are all their desire; of course they have just been studying her character and that of the foolish men who dance her attendance, but even those are not doing it with any serious motives. And the neglected girls will serve him with homemade cake and wine which he will presently convert into agony in that pearl shell ear of hers. And all the while the baby will have done nothing but be what she was born to be through none of her own choosing, which is her lot and portion; and that is another thing the gods will have to explain when the day comes that they go on trial before men; which is the real day of judgment.

What this Textopian page supports

The Heart of Angiolillo is listed on Textopian as a short story by Voltairine De Cleyre, dated 1901 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Voltairine De Cleyre
Date: 1901 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Tragedy, Romance, Historical Fiction
Length: 4,797 words
Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for The Heart of Angiolillo by Voltairine De Cleyre
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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of love, sacrifice, and social injustice through rich character development and introspective narrative.
Social Commentary — It critiques societal norms and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society, highlighting issues of class and gender.
Tragedy — The narrative embodies tragic elements, focusing on the suffering and ultimate demise of the protagonist due to her circumstances.
Romance — The story involves romantic relationships that are central to the character's conflicts and emotional struggles.