The Poor Voter on Election Day
This poem portrays the struggles of a poor voter who feels disenfranchised and powerless on election day. The speaker describes the difficulties faced by those living in poverty, including hunger, cold, and lack of access to basic necessities. They express frustration with the system that ignores their needs and concerns, feeling that their votes are meaningless in the face of systemic inequality.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1856 · Genre: Political Poetry, Social Commentary, Lyric Poetry · 216 words
First lines
THE proudest now is but my peer, The highest not more high; To-day, of all the weary year, A king of men am I. To-day, alike are great and small, The nameless and the known; My palace is the people's hall, The ballot-box my throne!
Who serves to-day upon the list Beside the served shall stand; Alike the brown and wrinkled fist, The gloved and dainty hand! The rich is level with the poor, The weak is strong to-day; And sleekest broadcloth counts no more Than homespun frock of gray.
What this Textopian page supports
The Poor Voter on Election Day is listed on Textopian as an essay by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1856 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1856 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Political Poetry, Social Commentary, Lyric Poetry, Protest Literature, Historical Poetry
- Length: 216 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Genres
- Political Poetry — The work addresses themes of democracy, equality, and the power of the individual vote, characteristic of political poetry.
- Social Commentary — It critiques social hierarchies and advocates for the rights of the common man, reflecting social commentary.
- Lyric Poetry — The personal and emotional expression of the speaker's pride and empowerment aligns with lyric poetry.
- Protest Literature — The poem serves as a call to action against social injustices, fitting the protest literature genre.
Tags
Poetry · Politics · Social Justice · Election Day · Voting Rights · Democracy · Citizenship · Power Dynamics · Class Struggle · Inequality · Socioeconomic Status · Economic Disparity