The Lakeside
The poem describes a serene and peaceful scene of a lake at sunset, with the speaker reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The poem's tone is melancholic and contemplative, with the speaker acknowledging the transience of human existence and the beauty of the natural world.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1845 · Genre: Nature Poetry, Spiritual Poetry, Romanticism · 271 words
First lines
The shadows round the inland sea Are deepening into night; Slow up the slopes of Ossipee They chase the lessening light. Tired of the long day's blinding heat, I rest my languid eye, Lake of the Hills! where, cool and sweet, Thy sunset waters lie!
Along the sky, in wavy lines, O'er isle and reach and bay, Green-belted with eternal pines, The mountains stretch away. Below, the maple masses sleep Where shore with water blends, While midway on the tranquil deep The evening light descends.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lakeside is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1845 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: 1845 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Poetry, Spiritual Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric Poetry, Descriptive Poetry
- Length: 271 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lakeside by John Greenleaf Whittier
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Lakeside?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Nature Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Nature Poetry — The work vividly describes natural landscapes and the beauty of the environment, emphasizing the connection between nature and spirituality.
- Spiritual Poetry — Themes of divine presence and gratitude towards God are central, reflecting a deep spiritual appreciation of the natural world.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on emotion, nature, and individual experience aligns with the characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal feelings and reflections, typical of lyric poetry.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Romance · Lyrical · Melancholy · Nostalgia · Longing · Solitude · Isolation · Beauty · Serenity · Peacefulness