To my Sister
The poem is a tribute to the speaker's sister who has died young. It expresses the speaker's grief and regret over her untimely passing. The poem also touches on themes of mortality, loss, and the fleeting nature of life.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1840 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Literary Fiction · 370 words
First lines
WITH A COPY OF "THE SUPERNATURALISM OF NEW ENGLAND. "
The work referred to was a series of papers under this title, contributed to the Democratic Review and afterward collected into a volume, in which I noted some of the superstitions and folklore prevalent in New England. The volume has not been kept in print, but most of its contents are distributed in my Literary Recreations and Miscellanies.
What this Textopian page supports
To my Sister is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1840 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: 1840 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Literary Fiction, Sentimentalism, Folklore
- Length: 370 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for To my Sister by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Romanticism — Themes of nostalgia, nature, and emotional expression align with Romantic ideals.
- Literary Fiction — Explores complex themes and character emotions, focusing on personal and familial relationships.
- Sentimentalism — Evokes strong emotions and emphasizes personal feelings and experiences.
Tags
Poem · Free Verse · American Literature · 19th Century · Friendship · Sisterly Love · Nostalgia · Sentimental · Romanticism · Nature Imagery · Imagery Rich · Symbolic Language