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