McConnell 1

Maggie McConnell
Ms. Dockus
1st Hour American Literature
28 February 2016
Response to Solitude by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Isolation is often used as a device of self-discovery, using the absence of the outside
world to look deeper into ones self. However, in her poem, Solitude, Ella Wheeler Wilcox
argues that the discovery of true happiness lies in finding ones good fortune and sharing it with
those around him or her. Her famous words, Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and
you weep alone, convey this message perfectly (1-2). Wilcox uses similar comparisons
throughout her poem to show how recognizing ones own joy leads to the discovery of
happiness among others.
At first I found Wilcoxs claim, there are none to decline your nectar'd wine, but alone
you must drink life's gall cynical (15). However, I ultimately decided that she justifies it by
stating, For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, but has trouble enough of its own (2). In
other words, I initially interpreted these passages as suggesting that the expression of anything
but joy would leave one alone and unenlightened. However, while I still disagree with Wilcoxs
overall notion, upon reading further, I found I understood her reasoning. In her words referring to
the sad old world, she communicates that the tribulations of others are great enough that
amplifying our own will not contribute to anyones joy or betterment.
Like any work of art, one can interpret Wilcoxs Solitude in many different ways. He
could claim Wilcox intends to encourage others to discover happiness among those around them
by expressing joy as opposed to sorrow. However, another could also claim these intentions are

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misguided, that concealing emotion for the sake of others is a mistake, regardless of the severity
their own struggles. Nevertheless, the simple act of deciding how one comprehends Solitude
leads to self-discovery of ones own person. Recognizing how we interpret art can teach us a lot
about ourselves.