John Brown's Body (poem) facts for kids
John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave.
Spread over it the bloodstained flag of his song,
For the sun to bleach, the wind and the birds to tear,
The snow to cover over with a pure fleece
And the New England cloud to work upon
With the grey absolution of its slow, most lilac-smelling rain,
Until there is nothing there
That ever knew a master or a slave
Or, brooding on the symbol of a wrong,
Threw down the irons in the field of peace.
John Brown is dead, he will not come again,
A stray ghost-walker with a ghostly gun.
John Brown's Body is a long American poem written by Stephen Vincent Benét in 1928. It tells the story of the American Civil War. The poem's title refers to John Brown, a famous person who fought against slavery. He led a raid in 1859 at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. John Brown was captured and later died that same year. Benét wrote this important poem while living in Paris. He had received a special grant called a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1926 to help him with his writing. The poem won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1929, which is a very important award for writers.
Contents
What is "John Brown's Body"?
John Brown's Body is an epic poem. This means it is a long story told in verse. It covers many events and characters from the American Civil War. The poem explores the reasons for the war and its impact on people. It also looks at the lives of ordinary Americans during this difficult time.
About Stephen Vincent Benét
Stephen Vincent Benét was an American writer. He was born in 1898 and passed away in 1943. He came from a family of military officers. This background helped him understand American history. Benét was known for his poems and short stories. He often wrote about American themes and historical events. John Brown's Body is his most famous work.
The Story of John Brown
The poem is named after John Brown. He was a strong believer in ending slavery. In October 1859, John Brown led a small group to raid a federal armory. This was at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. His goal was to get weapons to help enslaved people fight for their freedom. His actions were a major event leading up to the Civil War. John Brown was captured after the raid. He became a symbol for many who wanted to end slavery.
From Poem to Stage
John Brown's Body was not just a poem. It was also performed on stage. In 1953, a special dramatic reading took place on Broadway. This is a famous theater district in New York City. Famous actors like Tyrone Power, Judith Anderson, and Raymond Massey performed it. Charles Laughton directed this stage version.
Honored Recording
The 1953 Broadway performance was recorded. This recording was later chosen for a very special list. In 2015, it joined the National Recording Registry. This registry is kept by the Library of Congress. It includes recordings that are very important to American culture and history.
A Play in Prison
The poem also became a play performed in an unusual place. In 2002, prisoners at San Quentin State Prison performed a version of John Brown's Body. This showed the poem's lasting power and message. A documentary film was made in 2013 about this unique performance. It was called John Brown's Body at San Quentin Prison.
