The Wood Giant
This poem tells the story of a woodcutter who falls in love with a woman he has been tasked to kill. The woodcutter's axe is said to be able to cut through anything, but it cannot harm the woman. He becomes conflicted and ultimately decides not to carry out his task.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1837 · Genre: Nature Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric Poetry · 438 words
First lines
From Alton Bay to Sandwich Dome, From Mad to Saco river, For patriarchs of the primal wood We sought with vain endeavor.
And then we said: "The giants old Are lost beyond retrieval; This pygmy growth the axe has spared Is not the wood primeval.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wood Giant is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1837 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: 1837 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Historical Poetry
- Length: 438 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wood Giant by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Wood Giant?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Nature Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Nature Poetry — The work focuses on the beauty and majesty of trees and nature, reflecting deep appreciation for the natural world.
- Romanticism — The themes of awe, reverence for nature, and emotional depth align with the characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal feelings and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Philosophical Poetry — The exploration of themes such as loneliness, greatness, and the passage of time indicates a philosophical approach.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · Nature · Mythology · Folklore · Symbolism · Allegory · Environmentalism · Ecological Awareness · Social Commentary · Cultural Heritage · Regionalism