Passaconaway
The poem tells the story of Passaconaway, a Wabanaki chief who lived in New England during the early colonial period. It describes his life and struggles against the encroaching English settlers. The poem portrays Passaconaway as a wise and just leader who tries to maintain peace between his people and the colonists.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1847 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance · 6,257 words
First lines
[1833.]
I know not, I ask not, what guilt's in thy heart, But I feel that I love thee, whatever thou art. Moor.
What this Textopian page supports
Passaconaway is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1847 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: 1847 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Drama
- Length: 6,257 words
- Structure: 1 section, 78 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Passaconaway 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 Passaconaway?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context, exploring the interactions between early settlers and Native Americans.
- Literary Fiction — The work emphasizes character development and thematic depth, focusing on moral and philosophical questions.
- Romance — A central plot involves a romantic relationship that faces cultural and ideological challenges.
- Adventure — The story includes elements of adventure, particularly in the context of exploration and survival in a wilderness setting.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · Nature · Spirituality · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Symbolism · Allegory · Folklore · Mythology · Native American Culture