Gone by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem is a lamentation of the loss of innocence and youth. It describes a young girl who has been forced into marriage with an older man, symbolizing societal expectations and the constraints placed on women during that time period. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, highlighting the transience of human experience.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1845 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Religious · 400 words
First lines
Another hand is beckoning us, Another call is given; And glows once more with Angel-steps The path which reaches Heaven.
Our young and gentle friend, whose smile Made brighter summer hours, Amid the frosts of autumn time Has left us with the flowers.
What this Textopian page supports
Gone is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1845 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: 1845 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Religious, Romanticism, Lyric
- Length: 400 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, employing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetic form.
- Elegy — The poem mourns the loss of a young friend, reflecting on themes of death and remembrance.
- Religious — It expresses spiritual themes, including faith, the afterlife, and divine love.
- Romanticism — The work emphasizes emotion, nature, and the beauty of the human spirit.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Loss · Grief · Memory · Nostalgia · Longing · Separation · Isolation · Solitude