St. John by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem tells the story of a young man who returns to his native village after years away and finds that it has changed beyond recognition. He is disillusioned by the materialism and superficiality of the villagers, who have forgotten their traditional values and way of life. The poem explores themes of nostalgia, social change, and the tension between tradition and progress.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romantic Poetry, Narrative Poetry · 934 words
First lines
The fierce rivalry between Charles de La Tour, a Protestant, and D'Aulnay Charnasy, a Catholic, for the possession of Acadia, forms one of the most romantic passages in the history of the New World. La Tour received aid in several instances from the Puritan colony of Massachusetts. During one of his voyages for the purpose of obtaining arms and provisions for his establishment at St. John, his castle was attacked by D'Aulnay, and successfully defended by its high-spirited mistress. A second attack however followed in the fourth month, 1647, when D'Aulnay was successful, and the garrison was put to the sword. Lady La Tour languished a few days in the hands of her enemy, and then died of grief.
What this Textopian page supports
St. John 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: Historical Fiction, Romantic Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Adventure, Tragedy
- Length: 934 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for St. John by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering St. John?
- 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 against a historical backdrop, focusing on real events and figures from the past.
- Romantic Poetry — The work explores themes of love and loss, particularly through the relationship between La Tour and his lady.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story with a clear plot and character development, typical of narrative forms.
- Adventure — The plot involves conflict, battles, and quests for vengeance, embodying elements of adventure.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · 19th Century · New England · Autobiographical Elements · Historical Fiction · Christianity · Moral Themes · Social Commentary · Free Verse · Narrative Poetry · Biographical Sketches