The poem Derne is a narrative about a young woman who is forced into marriage with an older man named Derne. The speaker describes the woman's beauty and youth, contrasting it with her husband's age and ugliness. The poem explores themes of love, duty, and the societal pressures that can lead to unhappy marriages.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Historical Poetry, Patriotic Literature, Narrative Poetry