Vesta by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem tells the story of a woman who has been wronged by her lover and seeks revenge through a series of subtle manipulations. She uses her beauty and charm to lure him into a trap, where he ultimately meets his downfall. The poem explores themes of love, betrayal, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1856 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Inspirational Literature · 135 words
First lines
O Christ of God! whose life and death Our own have reconciled, Most quietly, most tenderly Take home Thy star-named child!
Thy grace is in her patient eyes, Thy words are on her tongue; The very silence round her seems As if the angels sung.
Her smile is as a listening child's Who hears its mother call; The lilies of Thy perfect peace About her pillow fall.
She leans from out our clinging arms To rest herself in Thine; Alone to Thee, dear Lord, can we Our well-beloved resign!
Similar titles
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- Hymn by John Greenleaf Whittier
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- Lay This Laurel On The One by Emily Dickinson
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- A Summons by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work expresses deep spiritual themes and reflects on the relationship between humanity and the divine.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem's emotional depth and personal tone align with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Inspirational Literature — The themes of hope, peace, and reconciliation resonate with readers seeking inspiration.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on loss and the transition of a loved one, characteristic of elegiac themes.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · 19th Century · Romance · Nature · Spirituality · Mortality · Loss · Grief · Love · Faith · Symbolism
What this Textopian page supports
Vesta is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1856 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: 1856 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Inspirational Literature, Elegy, Christian Literature
- Length: 135 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Vesta by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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