Kinsman by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem explores the theme of loyalty and duty through the story of a young man who returns to his native village after serving abroad. He finds that his family's farm has been neglected and his sister is struggling to care for their elderly mother. The kinsman feels a sense of responsibility to help his family, but also grapples with the idea of abandoning his own ambitions and desires.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1838 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Nature Poetry · 176 words
First lines
Died at the Island of Panay (Philippine group), aged nineteen years.
Where ceaseless Spring her garland twines, As sweetly shall the loved one rest, As if beneath the whispering pines And maple shadows of the West.
Ye mourn, O hearts of home! for him, But, haply, mourn ye not alone; For him shall far-off eyes be dim, And pity speak in tongues unknown.
There needs no graven line to give The story of his blameless youth; All hearts shall throb intuitive, And nature guess the simple truth.
What this Textopian page supports
Kinsman is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1838 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: 1838 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Nature Poetry, Romanticism, Spiritual Poetry
- Length: 176 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Kinsman by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Elegy — The poem mourns the loss of a young life, fitting the themes of grief and remembrance.
- Nature Poetry — Nature imagery is prevalent, highlighting the connection between the individual and the natural world.
- Romanticism — The themes of emotion, nature, and individual experience align with Romantic literary ideals.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · 19th Century · Free Verse · Nature Poetry · Romanticism · Social Justice · Slavery · Abolitionist · Historical Fiction · Feminism · Family Drama