The Preacher
The poem is a narrative about a preacher who is struggling with his faith and the harsh realities of life. He is disillusioned by the hypocrisy of those around him and feels that God has abandoned him. The poem explores themes of doubt, despair, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Historical Poetry, Narrative Poetry · 3,378 words
First lines
George Whitefield, the celebrated preacher, died at Newburyport in 1770, and was buried under the church which has since borne his name.
ITS windows flashing to the sky, Beneath a thousand roofs of brown, Far down the vale, my friend and I Beheld the old and quiet town; The ghostly sails that out at sea Flapped their white wings of mystery; The beaches glimmering in the sun, And the low wooded capes that run Into the sea-mist north and south; The sand-bluffs at the river's mouth; The swinging chain-bridge, and, afar, The foam-line of the harbor-bar.
What this Textopian page supports
The Preacher is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1827 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: 1827 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Historical Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Social Commentary, Lyric Poetry
- Length: 3,378 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Preacher by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Preacher?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Religious Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Christian Tourists by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of faith, spirituality, and the moral implications of religious belief, characteristic of religious poetry.
- Historical Poetry — It reflects on historical figures and events, particularly the life and impact of a preacher in a specific historical context.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story, detailing the life and influence of a preacher, which aligns with narrative poetry.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal issues such as greed, moral decay, and the responsibilities of faith, typical of social commentary.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Religion · Moralism · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Christianity · Faith · Doubt · Preaching · Ministry