Kathleen by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem is a tribute to the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad. It tells the story of a young woman named Kathleen who helps escaped slaves reach freedom in the North. The poem explores themes of courage, loyalty, and the struggle for human rights during the pre-Civil War era.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1842 · Genre: Ballad, Romanticism, Historical Fiction · 986 words
First lines
This ballad was originally published in my prose work, Leaves from Margaret Smith's Journal, as the song of a wandering Milesian schoolmaster. In the seventeenth century, slavery in the New World was by no means confined to the natives of Africa. Political offenders and criminals were transported by the British government to the plantations of Barbadoes and Virginia, where they were sold like cattle in the market. Kidnapping of free and innocent white persons was practised to a considerable extent in the seaports of the United Kingdom.
O NORAH, lay your basket down, And rest your weary hand, And come and hear me sing a song Of our old Ireland.
What this Textopian page supports
Kathleen is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1842 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: 1842 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Ballad, Romanticism, Historical Fiction, Folklore, Tragedy
- Length: 986 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Kathleen by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Kathleen?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Ballad first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Ballad — The work is structured as a narrative poem that tells a story, characteristic of the ballad form.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and the idealization of characters reflect the romantic style.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context relate to historical events and societal issues of the time.
- Folklore — Incorporates elements of Irish folklore, including references to the Banshee and fairy folk.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Free Verse · Nature Poetry · Romanticism · Love Poem · Ballad · Narrative Poetry · Historical Fiction · Feminine Perspective · Domesticity