"In Peace" Poem Analysis

Literally, the poem "In Peace" by John Greenleaf Whittier is very descriptive. It tells of a riverside blooming with flowers and colors. It describes a very peaceful setting, filled with waterfalls and beautiful sights. Whittier uses many colors to describe the setting, and he creates a very peaceful scene. When reading this poem with a literal on look, one would understand that Whittier finds nature to be peaceful; it is a comfortable place for him. Towards the end of the poem, Whittier writes about death, and he describes it as not terrible, but instead as a way of connecting with nature. He says that if one realizes the beauty of nature, dying is not all that terrible.

Figuratively, this poem can be taken in a different direction. When I read the poem, I had an image of someone finally finding peace in the nature. In a crazy and hectic world, sometimes it is good to just step back and enjoy what God has given you. The waterfalls and beautiful flowers symbolize the serenity and wonder of the earth, and it is important that we realize that. When we see the creations God has given to us, we will learn to appreciate God and maybe see Him as a higher creation; He is someone that can truly create everything. Through this, maybe one could learn to believe in God. If this happens, dying is actually not a bad thing. They will go to Heaven with God and be in peace. Figuratively, I think this poem is about finding peace on Earth so that when it is your time to die, you will have peace with God.

This poem uses many different literary devices. Whittier is extremely descriptive; he describes all the different colors and shapes of the nature. Whittier also uses imagery, which allows the reader to truly see what Whittier was seeing when he wrote the poem. This is incredibly important because otherwise a reader might interpret the poem in a way that was unintended by Whittier.

"In Peace" is a beautiful poem about finding your inner peace both on Earth and with God. Its literal and figurative meanings are somewhat different, yet each portrays a beautiful and peaceful idea.