Andrew Rykman's Prayer
The poem explores the theme of faith and doubt through a conversation between Andrew Rykman and God. It delves into the complexities of prayer and the nature of divine intervention. The speaker grapples with the idea that his prayers may not be answered, leading to feelings of frustration and disillusionment.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Spiritual Reflection, Lyric Poetry · 1,390 words
First lines
Andrew Rykman's dead and gone; You can see his leaning slate In the graveyard, and thereon Read his name and date.
"_Trust is truer than our fears_," Runs the legend through the moss, "_Gain is not in added years, Nor in death is loss_."
What this Textopian page supports
Andrew Rykman's Prayer is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1827 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: 1827 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Spiritual Reflection, Lyric Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 1,390 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Andrew Rykman's Prayer by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Andrew Rykman's Prayer?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Religious Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Crucifixion by James Weldon Johnson
- The Eternal Goodness by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Crucifixion by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Immortal Is An Ample Word by Emily Dickinson
- Triumph by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work is a prayer that explores themes of faith, divine providence, and the human condition, characteristic of religious poetry.
- Spiritual Reflection — The poem reflects on personal spirituality, the nature of God, and the quest for understanding and peace.
- Lyric Poetry — The emotional and personal nature of the poem aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry, focusing on the speaker's inner thoughts and feelings.
- Philosophical Poetry — The exploration of existential themes and the nature of existence indicates a philosophical approach.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · Religion · Spirituality · Faith · Mortality · Death · Grief · Loss · Hope · Existentialism · Philosophy