The Prophecy of Samuel Sewall
This poem is a narrative about the life and execution of Samuel Sewall, a judge who was involved in the Salem witch trials. The poem explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of one's actions. It describes how Sewall, after years of remorse for his role in the trials, publicly apologized to the victims' families and sought forgiveness from God.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Religious · 1,508 words
First lines
The prose version of this prophecy is to be found in Sewall's The New Heaven upon the New Earth, 1697, quoted in Joshua Coffin's History of Newbury. Judge Sewall's father, Henry Sewall, was one of the pioneers of Newbury.
What this Textopian page supports
The Prophecy of Samuel Sewall 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: Poetry, Historical, Religious, Biographical, Philosophical
- Length: 1,508 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Prophecy of Samuel Sewall 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- The Curse Of The Charter Breakers by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Proselytes by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Mayflowers by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Pennsylvania Pilgrim by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Hero by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Pebbles Sea Pieces by Herman Melville
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythmic and lyrical language typical of poetry.
- Historical — It reflects on historical figures and events, particularly the life and legacy of Samuel Sewall in the context of Puritan New England.
- Religious — Themes of Christian faith, morality, and redemption are central to the narrative.
- Biographical — The poem serves as a biographical reflection on the life and character of Samuel Sewall.
Tags
American Literature · Historical Fiction · Puritanism · Colonial America · Prophetic Vision · Social Commentary · Moral Allegory · Folklore · Mythology · Symbolism · Allegory · Satire