The Relic by John Greenleaf Whittier
This poem is a narrative about a relic that has been passed down through generations of a family. It tells the story of how the relic was obtained and its significance to the family's history. The poem explores themes of heritage, tradition, and the importance of preserving one's cultural identity.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Political · 622 words
First lines
Written on receiving a cane wrought from a fragment of the wood-work of Pennsylvania Hall which the fire had spared.
TOKEN of friendship true and tried, From one whose fiery heart of youth With mine has beaten, side by side, For Liberty and Truth; With honest pride the gift I take, And prize it for the giver's sake.
What this Textopian page supports
The Relic 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, Political, Inspirational, Romanticism
- Length: 622 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Historical — The themes revolve around historical events and figures related to freedom and social justice.
- Political — The poem addresses issues of liberty, justice, and the struggle against oppression.
- Inspirational — The text conveys messages of hope, resilience, and the power of memory.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · Religion · Spirituality · Mortality · Death · Afterlife · Faith · Doubt · Existentialism · Philosophy · Symbolism