What the Voice Said by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem explores themes of love, loss, and longing through the voice of a deceased lover who speaks to his beloved from beyond the grave. The speaker's words are a lament for their lost time together and a plea for her to remember him.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1848 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Social Critique, Philosophical Poetry · 502 words
First lines
MADDENED by Earth's wrong and evil, "Lord! " I cried in sudden ire, "From Thy right hand, clothed with thunder, Shake the bolted fire!
"Love is lost, and Faith is dying; With the brute the man is sold; And the dropping blood of labor Hardens into gold.
What this Textopian page supports
What the Voice Said is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1848 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: 1848 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Social Critique, Philosophical Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 502 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for What the Voice Said by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of faith, divine justice, and moral introspection, characteristic of religious poetry.
- Social Critique — It addresses societal issues such as injustice, suffering, and the moral responsibilities of individuals.
- Philosophical Poetry — The text delves into existential questions about human nature, choice, and the nature of good and evil.
- Lyric Poetry — The personal and emotional tone reflects the characteristics of lyric poetry, focusing on individual feelings and thoughts.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Free Verse · Nature Poetry · Spiritualism · Mysticism · Symbolism · Imagery · Figurative Language · Metaphor · Simile