The Beautiful
The poem describes a beautiful woman who has been wronged by her lover and is now seeking revenge. She is described as being lovely but also cruel and heartless. The speaker of the poem is drawn to her beauty, but also feels a sense of fear and unease in her presence. The poem explores themes of love, beauty, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1836 · Genre: Philosophical Essay, Literary Criticism, Nature Writing · 2,029 words
First lines
"A beautiful form is better than a beautiful face; a beautiful behavior is better than a beautiful form; it gives a higher pleasure than statues or pictures; it is the finest of the fine arts. " EMERSON'S Essays, Second Series, iv., p. 162.
What this Textopian page supports
The Beautiful is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1836 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1836 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Essay, Literary Criticism, Nature Writing, Personal Reflection, Sociocultural Commentary
- Length: 2,029 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Beautiful 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 The Beautiful?
- How does this short story by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophical Essay first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Poet by Ralph Waldo Emerson
- The Angel Of Patience by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Fishermen by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Summons by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Requirement by John Greenleaf Whittier
- A Woman by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Philosophical Essay — The work explores deep philosophical questions about beauty, perception, and the nature of reality.
- Literary Criticism — It critiques societal standards of beauty and examines the relationship between external appearances and internal qualities.
- Nature Writing — The text reflects on the beauty of nature and its imperfections, contrasting it with artificial standards.
- Personal Reflection — The author shares personal insights and observations about beauty and human perception.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature Poetry · Romanticism · Beauty · Aesthetics · Imagination · Symbolism · Allegory · Femininity · Love