The Robe of Christ by Joyce Kilmer
This poem explores the idea that a person's actions and character are what truly define them, rather than their appearance or external trappings. The speaker describes how Christ's robe was once white but became stained with blood and dirt from his experiences on earth. This serves as a metaphor for how our own lives can become marred by suffering and hardship.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1923 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Spiritual Reflection, Allegorical Poetry · 581 words
First lines
(For Cecil Chesterton)
At the foot of the Cross on Calvary Three soldiers sat and diced, And one of them was the Devil And he won the Robe of Christ.
What this Textopian page supports
The Robe of Christ is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Joyce Kilmer
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Spiritual Reflection, Allegorical Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 581 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Robe of Christ by Joyce Kilmer
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Discussion starters
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- The Message Lyrics by Henry Van Dyke
- Consecration by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Religious Poetry — The poem explores themes of faith, temptation, and the nature of Christ, making it deeply rooted in religious context.
- Spiritual Reflection — It reflects on the internal struggle between good and evil, highlighting personal spiritual dilemmas.
- Allegorical Poetry — The narrative employs allegory to convey deeper moral and spiritual meanings through the character of the Devil and the symbolism of the Robe.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry, particularly in its introspective nature.
Tags
Christianity · Mystery · Symbolism · Spirituality · Philosophy · Theology · Faith · Belief · Religion · Metaphor · Allegory · Mythology