The King's Missive. 1661
This poem is a satirical critique of the Puritan movement and its rigid moral code. It tells the story of a king who sends a missive to his people, ordering them to be more virtuous and pious. The poem uses irony and sarcasm to highlight the hypocrisy of the Puritans, who are more concerned with appearances than actual morality.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1867 · Genre: Historical Poetry, Political Commentary, Religious Literature · 1,815 words
First lines
This ballad, originally written for The Memorial History of Boston, describes, with pardonable poetic license, a memorable incident in the annals of the city. The interview between Shattuck and the Governor took place, I have since learned, in the residence of the latter, and not in the Council Chamber. The publication of the ballad led to some discussion as to the historical truthfulness of the picture, but I have seen no reason to rub out any of the figures or alter the lines and colors.
What this Textopian page supports
The King's Missive. 1661 is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1867 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: 1867 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Poetry, Political Commentary, Religious Literature, Narrative Poetry, Social Critique
- Length: 1,815 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Historical Poetry — The work is a ballad that recounts a historical incident, blending poetic form with historical themes.
- Political Commentary — It addresses issues of governance, religious freedom, and the conflict between authority and individual rights.
- Religious Literature — The poem explores themes of faith, persecution, and the quest for spiritual liberty.
- Narrative Poetry — It tells a story through verse, focusing on characters and their interactions within a specific historical context.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Poetry · Colonial Era · American Literature · 17th Century · New England · Puritanism · Religion · Politics · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Satire