Our Master
The poem tells the story of a young woman who is forced into marriage with an older man, her master. She is unhappy and feels trapped, but ultimately finds a way to escape her situation through her own determination and resourcefulness. The poem explores themes of oppression, freedom, and the struggle for individual autonomy.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1825 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Philosophical Poetry · 1,015 words
First lines
Immortal Love, forever full, Forever flowing free, Forever shared, forever whole, A never-ebbing sea!
Our outward lips confess the name All other names above; Love only knoweth whence it came And comprehendeth love.
What this Textopian page supports
Our Master is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1825 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: 1825 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Inspirational Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 1,015 words
- Structure: 1 section, 38 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Our Master 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 Our Master?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Religious Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of divine love, faith, and spirituality, characteristic of religious poetry.
- Lyric Poetry — The personal and emotional expression of love and devotion aligns with the conventions of lyric poetry.
- Philosophical Poetry — The poem reflects on existential themes and the nature of humanity in relation to the divine.
- Inspirational Poetry — The uplifting messages of love, service, and faith serve to inspire readers.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · 19th Century · Slavery · Abolitionism · Social Justice · Morality · Ethics · Christianity · Religion · Moral Dilemma · Conflict