The Wreck of Rivermouth
The poem tells the story of a shipwreck off the coast of New England during a storm. The narrator describes the wreck and its aftermath, focusing on the loss of life and property. The poem explores themes of mortality, nature's power, and the human condition. It is written in a formal, lyrical style with a strong emphasis on rhythm and meter.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1850 · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Historical Fiction, Romanticism · 1,456 words
First lines
The Goody Cole who figures in this poem and The Changeling as Eunice Cole, who for a quarter of a century or more was feared, persecuted, and hated as the witch of Hampton. She lived alone in a hovel a little distant from the spot where the Hampton Academy now stands, and there she died, unattended. When her death was discovered, she was hastily covered up in the earth near by, and a stake driven through her body, to exorcise the evil spirit. Rev. Stephen Bachiler or Batchelder was one of the ablest of the early New England preachers. His marriage late in life to a woman regarded by his church as disreputable induced him to return to England, where he enjoyed the esteem and favor of Oliver Cromwell during the Protectorate.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wreck of Rivermouth is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1850 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: 1850 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Narrative Poetry, Historical Fiction, Romanticism, Gothic, Tragedy
- Length: 1,456 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Wreck of Rivermouth by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Genres
- Narrative Poetry — The work is primarily a poem that tells a story through verse, focusing on characters and events.
- Historical Fiction — It incorporates historical elements and figures from colonial New England, blending fact with fiction.
- Romanticism — The poem emphasizes nature, emotion, and individual experience, characteristic of the Romantic literary movement.
- Gothic — It contains dark themes, supernatural elements, and a sense of foreboding, typical of Gothic literature.
Tags
Poetry · Narrative · Maritime · Tragedy · Loss · Grief · Memory · Nostalgia · Sea · Shipwreck · Fate · Destiny