# Advice to the Girls explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

## What happens

A speaker offers friendly counsel to young women considering marriage, advising them to prioritize a man's character—goodness, kindness, and common sense—over superficial attractions like appearance or charm.

## Themes in this chapter

### Motherhood and Family

The advice implicitly concerns building a stable family through wise marital choice.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The speaker offers marriage advice, urging girls to look beyond outward show.

## Key lines

> Wed not a man whose merit lies In things of outward show, In raven hair or flashing eyes. That please your fancy so.

Do not marry a man based solely on his good looks or charming appearance.

_Warns against valuing superficial traits over deeper character._

> But marry one who’s good and kind, And free from all pretence; Who, if without a gifted mind, At least has common sense.

Instead, choose a husband who is genuinely kind and honest, even if not brilliant, as long as he has practical wisdom.

_Promotes the ideal of a sensible, sincere partner for a successful marriage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/advice-to-the-girls
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters