Burial of Barber by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem tells the story of a barber who dies and is buried in his shop. The speaker reflects on the barber's life and how he was loved by his customers for his kindness and skill with scissors. The barber's death is seen as a loss to the community, but also as an opportunity for the speaker to reflect on the fleeting nature of human life.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1848 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Political · 526 words
First lines
Thomas Barber was shot December 6, 1855, near Lawrence, Kansas.
BEAR him, comrades, to his grave; Never over one more brave Shall the prairie grasses weep, In the ages yet to come, When the millions in our room, What we sow in tears, shall reap.
What this Textopian page supports
Burial of Barber is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1848 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: 1848 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Political, Social Commentary, Elegy
- Length: 526 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Burial of Barber by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Historical — The poem addresses historical events and figures, specifically relating to the context of slavery and the Kansas conflict.
- Political — Themes of freedom, justice, and moral struggle against oppression are central to the work.
- Social Commentary — The poem critiques societal issues, particularly the injustices of slavery and violence.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · 19th Century · New England · Autobiographical Elements · Historical Fiction · Family Drama · Coming of Age · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Folklore · Regionalism