The Spirit of Great Joan by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem tells the story of a woman who has died but her spirit remains on earth, guiding and inspiring others to strive for greatness. The narrator describes the woman's life, portraying her as a selfless and courageous individual who lived for the benefit of humanity. After her death, her spirit continues to influence people, urging them to pursue noble endeavors and overcome their fears.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Inspirational · 350 words
First lines
Back of each soldier who fights for France, / Ay, back of each woman and man / Who toils and prays through these long tense days, / Is the spirit of Great Joan. / For the love she gave, and the life she gave, / In the eyes of God sufficed / To crown her with light, and power, and might, / That made her second to Christ.
And so in that hour at the Marne she came, / To the seeing eyes of men; / And the blind of view still felt and knew / That her spirit had come again. / And she will come in each crucial hour / And joy shall follow despair, / For Joan sees her France on its knees / And she hears the voice of its prayer.
What this Textopian page supports
The Spirit of Great Joan is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Inspirational, War, Religious
- Length: 350 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Spirit of Great Joan by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality.
- Historical — The content references historical events and figures, particularly Joan of Arc and her influence on France.
- Inspirational — The themes focus on courage, faith, and moral strength, aiming to inspire readers.
- War — The narrative centers around the context of war, specifically the impact on France and its people.
Tags
Poetry · Spirituality · Inspiration · Motivation · Philosophy · Women Authors · American Literature · Early 20th Century · Religious Themes · Mysticism · Occultism · Esoteric