The Robin by John Greenleaf Whittier
This poem tells the story of a young woman who is forced to marry an older man due to her family's financial situation. She is unhappy with the arrangement and feels trapped in her new life. The robin, which appears throughout the poem, serves as a symbol of freedom and joy that she can no longer experience.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1847 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Nature · 264 words
First lines
MY old Welsh neighbor over the way Crept slowly out in the sun of spring, Pushed from her ears the locks of gray, And listened to hear the robin sing.
Her grandson, playing at marbles, stopped, And, cruel in sport as boys will be, Tossed a stone at the bird, who hopped From bough to bough in the apple-tree.
"Nay! " said the grandmother; "have you not heard, My poor, bad boy! of the fiery pit, And how, drop by drop, this merciful bird Carries the water that quenches it?
"He brings cool dew in his little bill, And lets it fall on the souls of sin You can see the mark on his red breast still Of fires that scorch as he drops it in.
What this Textopian page supports
The Robin is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1847 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: 1847 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious, Nature, Allegory, Children's Literature
- Length: 264 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and meter typical of poetry.
- Religious — Themes of mercy, redemption, and the spiritual significance of the robin reflect religious undertones.
- Nature — The imagery of the robin and the natural setting emphasizes the connection between nature and spirituality.
- Allegory — The narrative conveys deeper moral and spiritual lessons through symbolic elements.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Birds · Symbolism · Literary Device · Metaphor · Imagery · Personification · Free Verse · American Literature · 19th Century · Romanticism