The Pressed Gentian by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem tells the story of a young woman who dies after giving birth to twins. Her spirit appears to her husband and children, mourning their loss. The gentian flower, pressed between the pages of a book, serves as a symbol of her memory.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1858 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Philosophical · 235 words
First lines
The time of gifts has come again, And, on my northern window-pane, Outlined against the day's brief light, A Christmas token hangs in sight.
The wayside travellers, as they pass, Mark the gray disk of clouded glass; And the dull blankness seems, perchance, Folly to their wise ignorance.
They cannot from their outlook see The perfect grace it hath for me; For there the flower, whose fringes through The frosty breath of autumn blew, Turns from without its face of bloom To the warm tropic of my room, As fair as when beside its brook The hue of bending skies it took.
What this Textopian page supports
The Pressed Gentian is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1858 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: 1858 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Philosophical, Religious, Romanticism
- Length: 235 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Pressed Gentian by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetic expression.
- Nature — The imagery and themes revolve around natural elements, particularly the flower, symbolizing beauty and grace.
- Philosophical — The text explores deeper meanings about perception, judgment, and the inner worth of individuals.
- Religious — The work reflects on spiritual themes and the idea of a higher understanding of humanity.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Romance · Love · Loss · Grief · Memory · Nostalgia · Longing · Yearning · Beauty · Symbolism