Ezekiel by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem is a lamentation of the death of Ezekiel Cheever, a schoolmaster who died at the age of 97. It describes his life and legacy, highlighting his dedication to education and his impact on the community. The speaker reflects on Cheever's long life, noting that he had seen many changes and had outlived most of his contemporaries.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1837 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Historical Poetry · 1,071 words
First lines
Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. And theycome unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they skew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. -- EZEKIEL, xxxiii. 30-33.
What this Textopian page supports
Ezekiel is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1837 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: 1837 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Historical Poetry, Lament, Visionary Poetry
- Length: 1,071 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Ezekiel by John Greenleaf Whittier
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of prophecy, divine communication, and spiritual lamentation, characteristic of religious poetry.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story through its verses, depicting the experiences and visions of a prophet.
- Historical Poetry — It references historical events and figures, particularly relating to ancient Israel and its struggles.
- Lament — The tone and content express deep sorrow and mourning for Jerusalem and the plight of its people.
Tags
Poetry · Religious · Biblical · American Literature · 19th Century · Christianity · Prophecy · Apocalypse · Moralism · Social Justice · Slavery · Abolitionist