The Fruit-Gift
The poem tells the story of a young woman who receives a gift of fruit from her lover, symbolizing their love and connection. The fruit represents the sweetness and nourishment that their relationship brings to each other's lives.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1838 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Religious · 272 words
First lines
Last night, just as the tints of autumn's sky Of sunset faded from our hills and streams, I sat, vague listening, lapped in twilight dreams, To the leaf's rustle, and the cricket's cry.
Then, like that basket, flush with summer fruit, Dropped by the angels at the Prophet's foot, Came, unannounced, a gift of clustered sweetness, Full-orbed, and glowing with the prisoned beams Of summery suns, and rounded to completeness By kisses of the south-wind and the dew. Thrilled with a glad surprise, methought I knew The pleasure of the homeward-turning Jew, When Eshcol's clusters on his shoulders lay, Dropping their sweetness on his desert way.
What this Textopian page supports
The Fruit-Gift is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1838 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: 1838 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Religious, Philosophical, Romanticism
- Length: 272 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and imagery typical of poetry.
- Nature — The themes revolve around nature, particularly the beauty and symbolism of fruit and the changing seasons.
- Religious — The text references biblical themes and figures, exploring concepts of sin and redemption.
- Philosophical — The work contemplates deeper meanings of existence, loss, and the human experience.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature Imagery · Symbolism · Fruit Metaphor · Gift Theme · Allegory · Moral Lesson · Christianity · Spirituality · Hope