Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Above her veil a shrouded Moorish maid Showed melting eyes, as limpid as a lake; A brow untouched by care; a band of jetty hair, And nothing more. The all-concealing haik Fell to her high arched instep. At her side An old duenna walked; her withered face Half covered only, since no lingering grace Bespoke the beauty once her master's pride. Above her veil, the Moorish maid beheld The modern world, in Paris-decked Algiers; Saw happy lad and lass, in love's contentment pass, Or in sweet wholesome friendship, free from fears. She saw fair matrons, walking arm-in-arm With life-long lovers, time-endeared, and then She saw the ardent look in eyes of men, And thrilled and trembled with a vague alarm. Above her veil she saw the stuccoed court That led to dim secluded rooms within. She followed, dutiful, the dame unbeautiful, Who told her that the Christian world means sin. Some day, full soon, she would go forth a bride - Of one whose face she never had beheld. Something within her, wakened, and rebelled; She flung aside her veil, and cried, and cried.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem beautifully captures the emotional journey of a Moorish maiden, using her veil as a symbolic device to explore themes of visibility, identity, and rebellion against societal norms. The mood is initially serene and descriptive, with the maiden portrayed as a mysterious figure "as limpid as a lake". The tone intensifies as she observes a world of freedom and romantic love, "in Paris-decked Algiers," stirring within her a 'vague alarm'—a sense of longing and awakening to her confined reality.
The structure of the poem, marked by the recurring phrase "Above her veil," illustrates the maiden's increasing awareness and desire for more than her prescribed destiny. This structure also highlights the contrast between her secluded existence and the modern, liberated world she yearns to be a part of. The poem culminates in her act of rebellion, wherein she discards her veil - a powerful symbol of her subservience and seclusion - indicating a refusal to accept her predetermined fate and a yearning for personal autonomy.
The poet's use of evocative imagery, such as the 'stuccoed court' and 'dim secluded rooms,' paints a vivid picture of the maiden's confined world, reinforcing the themes of oppression and female subjugation. Meanwhile, the 'ardent look in eyes of men' hints at the objectification she faces, even as it also represents a concept of romantic love that she is unfamiliar with but desires. This juxtaposition further amplifies her internal conflict and emotional turmoil, rendering the poem a poignant exploration of societal constraints and personal desire.
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.
Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:
From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.