Lines on the Portrait of a Celebrated Publisher
The poem portrays a publisher who has made his fortune by publishing works that are considered immoral and corrupting to society. The speaker of the poem sees this as a form of hypocrisy, as the publisher profits from works that he would likely condemn in private. The poem critiques the commercialization of literature and the ways in which publishers can profit from works that they do not truly believe in.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1842 · Genre: Satire, Poetry, Political Commentary · 467 words
First lines
A pleasant print to peddle out / In lands of rice and cotton; / The model of that face in dough / Would make the artist's fortune. / For Fame to thee has come unsought, / While others vainly woo her, / In proof how mean a thing can make / A great man of its doer.
To whom shall men thyself compare, / Since common models fail 'em, / Save classic goose of ancient Rome, / Or sacred ass of Balaam? / The gabble of that wakeful goose / Saved Rome from sack of Brennus; / The braying of the prophet's ass / Betrayed the angel's menace!
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Genres
- Satire — The work employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and figures, particularly in the context of publishing and fame.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse, utilizing rhythm and meter characteristic of poetic forms.
- Political Commentary — The poem addresses political themes, including patriotism and the critique of societal issues such as slavery.
- Historical Reflection — It references historical figures and events, providing a commentary on their relevance to contemporary society.
Tags
Poetry · Literary Criticism · Portrait · Celebrity · Publishing Industry · Satire · Social Commentary · 19th Century Literature · American Literature · New England Literature · Autobiographical Elements · Self-Portraiture
What this Textopian page supports
Lines on the Portrait of a Celebrated Publisher 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: Satire, Poetry, Political Commentary, Historical Reflection, Humor
- Length: 467 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Lines on the Portrait of a Celebrated Publisher by John Greenleaf Whittier
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