In the Prison Pen. 1864 (Poems from Battle Piece
The poems explore themes of war, death, and the human cost of conflict. They are written from a perspective that critiques the romanticization of war and instead presents a stark, unvarnished view of its brutality. The collection includes works such as "The Army Post" and "Shiloh", which examine the psychological toll of combat on soldiers.
By Herman Melville · First published 1864 · Genre: War Poetry, Historical Poetry, Lyric Poetry · 179 words
First lines
Listless he eyes the palisades And sentries in the glare; 'Tis barren as a pelican-beach But his world is ended there.
Nothing to do; and vacant hands Bring on the idiot-pain; He tries to think-to recollect, But the blur is on his brain.
Around him swarm the plaining ghosts Like those on Virgil's shore- A wilderness of faces dim, And pale ones gashed and hoar.
A smiting sun. No shed, no tree; He totters to his lair- A den that sick hands dug in earth Ere famine wasted there,
What this Textopian page supports
In the Prison Pen. 1864 (Poems from Battle Pieces) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Herman Melville, dated 1864 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Herman Melville
- Date: 1864 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: War Poetry, Historical Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Realism, Elegy
- Length: 179 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In the Prison Pen. 1864 (Poems from Battle Pieces) by Herman Melville
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering In the Prison Pen. 1864 (Poems from Battle Pieces)?
- How does this poem by Herman Melville fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does War Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- War Poetry — The poem reflects on the experiences and suffering of a prisoner during wartime, capturing the emotional and physical toll of conflict.
- Historical Poetry — Set in the context of the American Civil War, it provides a historical perspective on the conditions and sentiments of the era.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, focusing on the inner world of the prisoner.
- Realism — The vivid depiction of the harsh realities faced by the prisoner aligns with the characteristics of realistic literature.
Tags
American Literature · Civil War Poetry · War Poetry · Poetry Collection · 19th Century American Poetry · Battlefield Imagery · Death and Loss · Mourning · Grief · Soldier's Experience · War Trauma · Emotional Desolation