The Rendition by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem tells the story of a young woman who is kidnapped and taken to a foreign land where she is forced into slavery. The speaker describes her struggles and hardships, but also notes that she remains steadfast in her faith and hope for rescue.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1848 · Genre: Historical Poetry, Social Commentary, Political Poetry · 363 words
First lines
On the 2d of June, 1854, Anthony Burns, a fugitive slave from Virginia, after being under arrest for ten days in the Boston Court House, was remanded to slavery under the Fugitive Slave Act, and taken down State Street to a steamer chartered by the United States Government, under guard of United States troops and artillery, Massachusetts militia and Boston police. Public excitement ran high, a futile attempt to rescue Burns having been made during his confinement, and the streets were crowded with tens of thousands of people, of whom many came from other towns and cities of the State to witness the humiliating spectacle.
What this Textopian page supports
The Rendition is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1848 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: 1848 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Poetry, Social Commentary, Political Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Protest Literature
- Length: 363 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Rendition by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Similar titles
- The Prisoners Of Naples by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Song Of Slaves In The Desert by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Disenthralled by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Freed Islands by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The New Exodus by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Arisen At Last by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Historical Poetry — The work reflects historical events surrounding the Fugitive Slave Act and the personal impact of slavery, conveyed through poetic form.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal and legal injustices related to slavery, highlighting moral and ethical dilemmas.
- Political Poetry — The poem addresses political issues of the time, particularly the conflict between law and human rights.
- Narrative Poetry — It tells a story through verse, focusing on the emotional and societal ramifications of a specific historical incident.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Slavery · Abolitionism · Social Justice · Politics · History · Narrative Verse · Free Verse · Ballad Form · Rhyme Scheme