The Hero by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem tells the story of a young man who returns home after serving in the Civil War and finds that his family's farm has been destroyed by Union soldiers. The hero struggles to come to terms with the loss and the moral implications of the war, ultimately deciding to rebuild his life and find a way to forgive those responsible for the destruction.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1828 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Romanticism · 749 words
First lines
The hero of the incident related in this poem was Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, the well-known philanthropist, who when a young man volunteered his aid in the Greek struggle for independence.
"Oh for a knight like Bayard, Without reproach or fear; My light glove on his casque of steel, My love-knot on his spear!
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Historical — The poem references historical events and figures, particularly the Greek struggle for independence.
- Romanticism — Themes of heroism, idealism, and emotional depth reflect characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Philosophical — The poem explores concepts of valor, manhood, and moral integrity.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · Heroism · Nobility · Moral Code · Social Commentary · 19th Century · New England · Regionalism · Symbolism · Allegory · Folklore
What this Textopian page supports
The Hero is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1828 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: 1828 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Romanticism, Philosophical, Inspirational
- Length: 749 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hero by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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