The Grave by the Lake
A young woman's body is found near a lake, and the narrator reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem explores themes of mortality, nature, and the human condition. It is written in a melancholic tone, with a focus on the beauty and cruelty of the natural world.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1847 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Philosophical · 2,297 words
First lines
At the mouth of the Melvin River, which empties into Moulton-Bay in Lake Winnipesaukee, is a great mound. The Ossipee Indians had their home in the neighborhood of the bay, which is plentifully stocked with fish, and many relics of their occupation have been found.
Where the Great Lake's sunny smiles Dimple round its hundred isles, And the mountain's granite ledge Cleaves the water like a wedge, Ringed about with smooth, gray stones, Rest the giant's mighty bones.
What this Textopian page supports
The Grave by the Lake is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1847 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: 1847 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Philosophical, Historical, Spiritual
- Length: 2,297 words
- Structure: 1 section, 47 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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- Lines Written Beneath An Elm In The Churchyard Of Harrow by Lord Byron
- The Last Walk In Autumn by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Impromptu by Thomas Gray
- A Dirge by Madison Cawein
- In Memory by Joyce Kilmer
Genres
- Poetry — The work is primarily a poem, characterized by its use of verse, meter, and rhyme.
- Nature Writing — The poem extensively explores themes of nature, landscape, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
- Philosophical — It delves into existential questions about life, death, and the human condition.
- Historical — The poem references the Ossipee Indians and reflects on historical themes related to burial practices and cultural memory.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Mortality · Grief · Loss · Death · Lake · Water · Reflection · Solitude · Isolation · Memory