A Memorial
The poem is a tribute to the memory of a deceased loved one. It reflects on the passing of time and the speaker's grief over the loss. The poem explores themes of mortality, nostalgia, and the enduring power of love and memory.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1826 · Genre: Elegy, Lyric Poetry, Romanticism · 602 words
First lines
Moses Austin Cartland, a dear friend and relation, who led a faithful life as a teacher and died in the summer of 1863.
Oh, thicker, deeper, darker growing, The solemn vista to the tomb Must know henceforth another shadow, And give another cypress room.
What this Textopian page supports
A Memorial is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1826 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1826 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Elegy, Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Memorial, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 602 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Memorial by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Memorial?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Elegy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- To G G by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Miriam by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Follen by John Greenleaf Whittier
- An Autograph by John Greenleaf Whittier
- R S S by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Singer by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Elegy — The work serves as a tribute to a deceased friend, expressing themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem employs personal emotion and reflection, characteristic of lyric poetry, focusing on the speaker's feelings and memories.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, emotion, and individual experience align with the principles of Romantic literature.
- Memorial — The poem specifically commemorates the life and character of a friend, fitting the memorial genre.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Free Verse · Nature Poetry · Mourning · Loss · Grief · Memorialization · Elegy · Autobiographical Elements · Personal Experience