R. s. S by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem is a lamentation of the loss of innocence and the harsh realities of life. It describes a young girl's encounter with death and her subsequent disillusionment with the world. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of youth and beauty, highlighting the inevitability of decline and mortality.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 147 words
First lines
AT DEER ISLAND ON THE MERRIMAC.
Make, for he loved thee well, our Merrimac, From wave and shore a low and long lament For him, whose last look sought thee, as he went The unknown way from which no step comes back. And ye, O ancient pine-trees, at whose feet He watched in life the sunset's reddening glow, Let the soft south wind through your needles blow A fitting requiem tenderly and sweet! No fonder lover of all lovely things Shall walk where once he walked, no smile more glad Greet friends than his who friends in all men had, Whose pleasant memory, to that Island clings, Where a dear mourner in the home he left Of love's sweet solace cannot be bereft.
What this Textopian page supports
R. s. S is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1827 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: 1827 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy, Nature Writing, Lyric
- Length: 147 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for R. s. S by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is primarily composed of verse, utilizing meter and rhyme to convey emotions and themes.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, emotion, and individual experience reflect the characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Elegy — The text serves as a lament for a lost individual, fitting the conventions of an elegy.
- Nature Writing — The vivid descriptions of the Merrimac and the natural surroundings emphasize the connection to nature.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · 19th Century · Free Verse · Nature Poetry · Social Commentary · Politics · Slavery · Abolitionism · Civil War Era · New England · Regionalism