The Branded Hand
The story revolves around a young woman who marries a man with a disfigured hand, branded by his former master for theft. The narrative explores themes of love, loyalty, and social class in rural America during the early 19th century.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1825 · Genre: Poetry, Social Commentary, Historical · 1,109 words
First lines
Captain Jonathan Walker, of Harwich, Mass., was solicited by several fugitive slaves at Pensacola, Florida, to carry them in his vessel to the British West Indies. Although well aware of the great hazard of the enterprise he attempted to comply with the request, but was seized at sea by an American vessel, consigned to the authorities at Key West, and thence sent back to Pensacola, where, after a long and rigorous confinement in prison, he was tried and sentenced to be branded on his right hand with the letters "S. S. " (slave-stealer) and amerced in a heavy fine.
What this Textopian page supports
The Branded Hand is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1825 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: 1825 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Social Commentary, Historical, Political, Inspirational
- Length: 1,109 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Branded Hand 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 Branded Hand?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Howard At Atlanta by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Lines To Hon Thaddeus Stevens by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
- He Had Not Where To Lay His Head by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
- Pennsylvania Hall by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Sentence Of John L Brown by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Freed Islands by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Social Commentary — It addresses themes of slavery, justice, and moral duty, reflecting societal issues of the time.
- Historical — The narrative is based on a historical figure and events related to the abolitionist movement.
- Political — It critiques political and religious institutions regarding their stance on slavery.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · 19th Century · Social Justice · Slavery · Abolitionism · Free Verse · Narrative Poetry · Autobiographical Elements · Historical Fiction · American History · Racial Tensions