The Pastoral Letter
This poem is a lamentation of the decline of rural life and the loss of innocence in America during the mid-19th century. It portrays a nostalgic view of the past, contrasting it with the harsh realities of industrialization and urbanization. The speaker laments the passing of traditional values and the exploitation of the natural world.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1826 · Genre: Poetry, Social Commentary, Political Literature · 1,061 words
First lines
The General Association of Congregational ministers in Massachusetts met at Brookfield, June 27, 1837, and issued a Pastoral Letter to the churches under its care. The immediate occasion of it was the profound sensation produced by the recent public lecture in Massachusetts by Angelina and Sarah Grimke, two noble women from South Carolina, who bore their testimony against slavery. The Letter demanded that "the perplexed and agitating subjects which are now common amongst us. should not be forced upon any church as matters for debate, at the hazard of alienation and division," and called attention to the dangers now seeming "to threaten the female character with widespread and permanent injury. "
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The Pastoral Letter is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1826 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1826 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Social Commentary, Political Literature, Historical Literature, Religious Literature
- Length: 1,061 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Social Commentary — It addresses social issues such as slavery, women's rights, and religious authority.
- Political Literature — The text critiques political and religious institutions, advocating for freedom and justice.
- Historical Literature — It reflects on historical events and figures related to religious and social struggles.
Tags
Pastoral · Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Rural Life · Shepherd's Life · Farming · Agriculture · Seasonal Change · Autumn · Harvest