The Reunion
The poem describes a reunion between two people who have been separated for many years. The speaker reflects on the past and how it has shaped their current relationship with the person they are reuniting with. They express a sense of nostalgia and longing, but also acknowledge the changes that time has brought. The tone is melancholic and introspective, with a focus on the complexities of human relationships.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1829 · Genre: Poetry, Reflective, Inspirational · 415 words
First lines
Read September 10, 1885, to the surviving students of Haverhill Academy in 1827-1830.
The gulf of seven and fifty years We stretch our welcoming hands across; The distance but a pebble's toss Between us and our youth appears.
What this Textopian page supports
The Reunion is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1829 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: 1829 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Reflective, Inspirational, Historical, Lyric
- Length: 415 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Reunion by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Reflective — The themes focus on nostalgia, memory, and reflection on life and relationships.
- Inspirational — The text conveys messages of hope, faith, and the value of life despite challenges.
- Historical — The context references a specific time period and the passage of years, connecting past and present.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · New England · Autobiographical · Family · Reunion · Nostalgia · Sentimental · Romanticism · Nature · Seasonal