The Reformer
The poem tells the story of a young woman who returns to her rural home after years away and finds herself at odds with the strict moral code of her community. She struggles with her own desires and the societal expectations placed upon her, ultimately leading to a tragic confrontation with the rigid morality of her surroundings.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1835 · Genre: Poetry, Social Commentary, Philosophical · 672 words
First lines
ALL grim and soiled and brown with tan, I saw a Strong One, in his wrath, Smiting the godless shrines of man Along his path.
The Church, beneath her trembling dome, Essayed in vain her ghostly charm Wealth shook within his gilded home With strange alarm.
What this Textopian page supports
The Reformer is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1835 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: 1835 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Social Commentary, Philosophical, Historical, Allegory
- Length: 672 words
- Structure: 1 section, 24 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Social Commentary — The themes address societal issues, reform, and moral critique, reflecting on the state of society.
- Philosophical — The text explores deep philosophical ideas about progress, change, and the cyclical nature of history.
- Historical — The work references historical contexts and societal structures, indicating a connection to historical events.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Social Justice · Reform Movement · 19th Century · Free Verse · Societal Commentary · Moral Guidance · Christianity · Abolitionism · Slavery · Equality