The Golden Wedding of Longwood
This poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of human life. It describes an old couple's golden wedding anniversary, but beneath its surface-level celebration lies a deeper sense of loss and longing for what has been lost. The speaker reminisces about the couple's youth, their love, and their struggles, highlighting the impermanence of all things. The poem is a meditation on mortality, love, and the human experience, ultimately concluding that even the most enduring relationships are subject to the ravages of time. Through its use of traditional forms and language, the poem creates a sense of timelessness, underscoring the universality of the themes it explores.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1850 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Celebratory · 610 words
First lines
Longwood, not far from Bayard Taylor's birthplace in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, was the home of my esteemed friends John and Hannah Cox, whose golden wedding was celebrated in 1874.
With fifty years between you and your well-kept wedding vow, The Golden Age, old friends of mine, is not a fable now.
What this Textopian page supports
The Golden Wedding of Longwood is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1850 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: 1850 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Celebratory, Social Commentary, Romanticism
- Length: 610 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Golden Wedding of Longwood 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 Golden Wedding of Longwood?
- 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
- Patucket Falls by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Palatine by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Pass Of The Sierra by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Pine Tree by John Greenleaf Whittier
- When Lide Married Him by James Whitcomb Riley
- Eva by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Historical — It reflects on historical events and figures, particularly related to the celebration of a golden wedding and social issues of the time.
- Celebratory — The poem commemorates a significant life event, focusing on themes of love, friendship, and community.
- Social Commentary — It addresses social issues such as freedom, justice, and the moral responsibilities of individuals.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Romance · Marriage · Love · Nature · Symbolism · Allegory · Folklore · Mythology · Historical Fiction