Palestine by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem explores the theme of colonialism and its impact on indigenous populations. It describes the struggles of the Palestinian people under Ottoman rule and later under British control. The speaker expresses sympathy for their plight and criticizes the treatment they receive from their rulers. The poem also touches on the idea of a homeland and the desire for self-governance.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1838 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Historical Poetry · 718 words
First lines
Blest land of Judaea! thrice hallowed of song, Where the holiest of memories pilgrim-like throng; In the shade of thy palms, by the shores of thy sea, On the hills of thy beauty, my heart is with thee.
With the eye of a spirit I look on that shore Where pilgrim and prophet have lingered before; With the glide of a spirit I traverse the sod Made bright by the steps of the angels of God.
What this Textopian page supports
Palestine 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: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Historical Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romantic Poetry
- Length: 718 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Palestine 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 Palestine?
- 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?
Similar titles
- The Holy Land by John Greenleaf Whittier
- To Charles Sumner by John Greenleaf Whittier
- To John C Fremont by John Greenleaf Whittier
- R S S by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Female Martyr by John Greenleaf Whittier
- A Word For The Hour by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of spirituality, faith, and the sacredness of the land, reflecting deep religious sentiments.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, focusing on beauty and nostalgia associated with the land.
- Historical Poetry — It references historical and biblical events, connecting the past with the present.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid descriptions of landscapes and natural elements highlight the beauty of the setting.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nationalism · Patriotism · Politics · Social Justice · Slavery · Abolition · Civil War · Historical Fiction · Narrative Poetry