The White Man by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of racial prejudice and discrimination, specifically against African Americans. It describes a white man's cruelty towards a black woman and her child, highlighting the injustices faced by people of color in a society dominated by whites. The poem also touches on the idea that the oppressed will one day rise up against their oppressors, seeking justice and equality.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Colonial Literature, Philosophical Literature · 249 words
First lines
Wherever the white man's feet have trod / (Oh far does the white man stray) / A bold road rifles the virginal sod, / And the forest wakes out of its dream of God, / To yield him the right of way. / For this is the law: _By the power of thought_, / _For worse_, _or for better_, _are miracles wrought_.
Wherever the white man's pathway leads, / (Far, far has that pathway gone) / The Earth is littered with broken creeds- / And alway the dark man's tent recedes, / And the white man pushes on. / For this is the law: _Be it good or ill_, / _All things must yield to the stronger will_.
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a clear rhythmic and rhyming structure.
- Colonial Literature — The themes revolve around the impact of colonialism and the expansion of the white man's influence.
- Philosophical Literature — The work explores deep philosophical ideas about power, will, and the consequences of human actions.
- Social Commentary — The text provides a critique and reflection on societal changes and the effects of colonization.
Tags
Poetry · Racism · Social Commentary · American Literature · Early 20th Century · White Supremacy · Critique of Society · Societal Norms · Race Relations · Discrimination · Inequality · Human Rights
What this Textopian page supports
The White Man is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1887 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: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Colonial Literature, Philosophical Literature, Social Commentary, Historical Literature
- Length: 249 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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