Caprice by William Dean Howells
The work presents a modern examination of courtship through a poetic narrative divided into three parts. In the opening section, a young woman arranges her surroundings—a birdcage with a singing robin and delicate embroidery—to signal her interest in a young man while masking her vulnerability. Her actions oscillate between allure and self-consciousness, as she simultaneously flirts and doubts her own behavior. In the second section, the young man demonstrates persistent attraction by repeatedly appearing near her home. Despite her efforts to conceal her invitation by altering the scene—removing the bird from view and retreating into solitary music—the underlying desire leads her to welcome him unexpectedly when his presence becomes undeniable. The final section intensifies their interaction as mutual expressions of longing emerge, symbolized by shared songs of contrasting moods. Their encounter moves from tentative engagement to physical intimacy when he, defying her hesitant commands, claims a token of her beauty—a rosebud from her hair—reflecting the collapse of her resistance under the force of his desire. Throughout, the narrative juxtaposes ritualized gestures of romance with spontaneous impulse, using imagery such as the robin’s cheerful tune against the backdrop of a somber piano melody, and the intricate details of her embroidery contrasted with a sudden, decisive touch. The work critiques the performative nature of courtship, revealing the tension between calculated seduction and genuine passion. It exposes the vulnerabilities inherent in the roles individuals assume during romantic pursuits and underscores the unpredictability of desire, leaving the resolution ambiguous as it probes the cost of surrendering to fleeting caprice in a modern social context.
By William Dean Howells · First published 1891 · Genre: Realism, Romance, Lyrical Fiction · 388 words
First lines
I. She hung the cage at the window: / "If he goes by," she said, / "He will hear my robin singing, / And when he lifts his head, / I shall be sitting here to sew, / And he will bow to me, I know."
The robin sang a love-sweet song, / The young man raised his head; / The maiden turned away and blushed: / "I am a fool! " she said, / And went on broidering in silk / A pink-eyed rabbit, white as milk.
What this Textopian page supports
Caprice is listed on Textopian as a short story by William Dean Howells, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: William Dean Howells
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Romance, Lyrical Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Satire
- Length: 388 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for Caprice by William Dean Howells
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Realism — The narrative’s detailed depiction of everyday life and psychological complexity reflects Howells’s commitment to realistic portrayal.
- Romance — The plot centers on themes of love, courtship, and emotional interplay, characteristic of romantic storytelling.
- Lyrical Fiction — The text employs poetic language and rhythmic tone that elevate its narrative beyond straightforward realism.
- Domestic Fiction — The intimate settings and focus on personal relationships underscore the domestic nature of the narrative.
Tags
realism · social commentary · American literature · domestic life · romantic undertones · society · character study · satirical · moral questioning · social class · identity · narrative realism