To my Old Schoolmaster
The poem tells the story of a young man who returns to his old schoolmaster after many years and finds him still teaching with the same passion and dedication. The speaker reflects on how little has changed in the world, but how much has changed within himself. He realizes that he has lost touch with the simple joys and values of his youth and is now consumed by worldly ambitions.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1826 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric · 1,317 words
First lines
AN EPISTLE NOT AFTER THE MANNER OF HORACE
These lines were addressed to my worthy friend Joshua Coffin, teacher, historian, and antiquarian. He was one of the twelve persons who with William Lloyd Garrison formed the first anti-slavery society in New England.
What this Textopian page supports
To my Old Schoolmaster is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1826 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: 1826 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric, Didactic, Historical
- Length: 1,317 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To my Old Schoolmaster 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 To my Old Schoolmaster?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Mrs Benjamin Harrison Washington October 25 1892 by James Whitcomb Riley
- To George Keats by John Keats
- To Marie Louise Shew by Edgar Allan Poe
- Apology by Joyce Kilmer
- In Memoriam Olivia Susan Clemens by Mark Twain
- There Was A Boy by William Wordsworth
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices such as meter, rhyme, and imagery.
- Elegy — It reflects on the past and pays tribute to a mentor, embodying themes of nostalgia and remembrance.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and reflections, focusing on the relationship between the speaker and the schoolmaster.
- Didactic — It conveys moral lessons and insights about education, history, and the value of wisdom.
Tags
Poem · Autobiographical · Nostalgic · Educational · Formal · Informative · Historical · Biographical · Memoiristic · Sentimental · Reflective · Personal