The Three Bells
The poem tells the story of a young woman who is forced to marry an old man due to her family's financial struggles. She is unhappy with the arrangement and feels trapped in her new life. The three bells symbolize the different stages of her life: the first bell represents her youth, the second her marriage, and the third her widowhood.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Poetry, Narrative, Religious · 403 words
First lines
BENEATH the low-hung night cloud That raked her splintering mast The good ship settled slowly, The cruel leak gained fast.
Over the awful ocean Her signal guns pealed out. Dear God! was that Thy answer From the horror round about?
What this Textopian page supports
The Three Bells 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, Narrative, Religious, Maritime, Romanticism
- Length: 403 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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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.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story of a ship in distress, focusing on themes of hope and rescue.
- Religious — The text contains spiritual themes, invoking divine presence and guidance.
- Maritime — The setting and subject matter revolve around a ship and the sea, emphasizing maritime elements.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Free Verse · Nature Poetry · Symbolism · Allegory · Mortality · Afterlife · Spirituality · Faith · Hope