To Pennsylvania
The poem describes a nostalgic and melancholic return to one's childhood home in Pennsylvania after many years away. The speaker reflects on the passing of time and the changes that have taken place in their life and in the world around them. They express a sense of disconnection from their past and a longing for the simplicity and innocence of youth.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1826 · Genre: Poetry, Political Literature, Social Commentary · 205 words
First lines
O STATE prayer-founded! never hung Such choice upon a people's tongue, Such power to bless or ban, As that which makes thy whisper Fate, For which on thee the centuries wait, And destinies of man!
Across thy Alleghanian chain, With groanings from a land in pain, The west-wind finds its way: Wild-wailing from Missouri's flood The crying of thy children's blood Is in thy ears to-day!
And unto thee in Freedom's hour Of sorest need God gives the power To ruin or to save; To wound or heal, to blight or bless With fertile field or wilderness, A free home or a grave!
What this Textopian page supports
To Pennsylvania 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, Political Literature, Social Commentary, Romanticism, Historical Literature
- Length: 205 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To Pennsylvania by John Greenleaf Whittier
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetic form.
- Political Literature — The themes revolve around freedom, justice, and the moral responsibilities of a state, reflecting political concerns.
- Social Commentary — The text addresses societal issues and the implications of governance on the populace.
- Romanticism — The emotional appeal and focus on nature and individualism align with Romantic literary characteristics.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · 19th Century · Free Verse · Nature Poetry · Patriotism · Nationalism · American Identity · Regionalism · New England · Pennsylvania · Travel