Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BOYS WILL BE BOYS by CHARLOTTE PERKINS STETSON GILMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: BOYS WILL BE BOYS,' AND BOYS HAVE HAD THEIR DAY
Last Line: IN LOVE AND TRUTH.
Subject(s): BOYS; WOMEN'S RIGHTS; FEMINISM;
"Boys will be boys," and boys have had their day;
Boy-mischief and boy-carelessness and noise
Extenuated all, allowed, excused and smoothed away,
Each duty missed, each damaging wild act,
By this meek statement of unquestioned fact-
Boys will be boys!

Now, "women will be women." Mark the change;
Calm motherhood in place of boisterous youth;
No warfare now; to manage and arrange,
To nurture with wise care, is woman's way,
In peace and fruitful industry her sway,
In love and truth.





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