King Volmer and Elsie
The poem tells the story of a young woman named Elsie who is forced to marry King Volmer, an old and cruel man. The king's cruelty and abuse are contrasted with the beauty and innocence of Elsie. The poem explores themes of love, duty, and the struggle for freedom.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1858 · Genre: Romantic Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Historical Fiction · 2,074 words
First lines
AFTER THE DANISH OF CHRISTIAN WINTER.
WHERE, over heathen doom-rings and gray stones of the Horg, In its little Christian city stands the church of Vordingborg, In merry mood King Volmer sat, forgetful of his power, As idle as the Goose of Gold that brooded on his tower.
What this Textopian page supports
King Volmer and Elsie is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1858 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: 1858 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Historical Fiction, Lyric Poetry, Folklore
- Length: 2,074 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for King Volmer and Elsie by John Greenleaf Whittier
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Romantic Poetry — The work centers on themes of love and courtship between characters, emphasizing emotional connections and romantic ideals.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story with a clear plot involving characters, dialogue, and a sequence of events.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a historical context, it reflects the customs and societal norms of a past era.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal feelings and emotions, particularly through the character of Elsie.
Tags
Folklore · Poetry · Romance · Mythology · Norse Mythology · Viking Legend · Epic Poetry · Ballad · Traditional Literature · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · New England Literature