Poems of Sentiment (eBook)

Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919) occupies a distinctive position in American literature, and remains notable for her vast oeuvre that traverses the sentimental literature landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her prolific writing career yielded numerous volumes of poetry and prose, characterized by her accessible verse and an optimistic spiritualism. Among her works, 'Poems of Sentiment' emerges as a significant collection that illustrates her deft emotional range and rhythmic lyrical prowess. Wilcox's literary style often delves into themes of love, motivation, the human experience, and universal connectivity - underscored by her belief in the power of positive thought and the resonance of the individual's will (Wilcox, E.W. 'Poems of Sentiment'). Her verse is marked by its earnestness and its drive to uplift and inspire, a clarion call to seek out good even amidst life's vicissitudes. The influence of Wilcox has waned since her passing, but her work remains a testament to her tenacity in an era when the cultural landscape was rapidly transforming and the role of women in the literary world was evolving. Though some contemporary critics might relegate her poetic contributions to the realm of pleasantries and philosophical simplicities, her popularity in her own time and the enduring presence of her more famous lines (e.g., "Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone") cement her place within the American canon as a spokeswoman of evocative, relatable sentimentality.