My Namesake
The poem tells the story of a young woman who returns to her family's ancestral home after many years away. She reflects on her past and the choices she made, particularly in regards to her marriage. The speaker expresses regret for not following her heart and instead conforming to societal expectations.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1853 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric · 1,294 words
First lines
Addressed to Francis Greenleaf Allison of Burlington, New Jersey.
You scarcely need my tardy thanks, Who, self-rewarded, nurse and tend -- A green leaf on your own Green Banks -- The memory of your friend.
What this Textopian page supports
My Namesake is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1853 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: 1853 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric, Romanticism, Philosophical
- Length: 1,294 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for My Namesake 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering My Namesake?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- At The Grave Of Heine by Olive Tilford Dargan
- The Pageant by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Library by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Lost Occasion by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Between The Gates by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Revisited by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as meter, rhyme, and imagery.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on themes of memory, loss, and the legacy of a named individual, characteristic of elegiac poetry.
- Lyric — The personal and emotional expression throughout the poem aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, individual emotion, and introspection are indicative of Romantic literary ideals.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · 19th Century · New England · Autobiographical Elements · Family History · Identity Crisis · Coming of Age · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Historical Context · Regionalism