# The Present Age explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

## What happens

A poetic call to recognize the present age as one of hope, unity, and moral progress, where diverse peoples and faiths come together, and where the fight for justice, the rights of man, and the liberation of the oppressed define the era.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom and Liberation

The poem celebrates the Negro's release from centuries of servile toil and the broader crusade for the rights of man.

### Hope and Redemption

The age is portrayed as one of brightening paths, renewing the earth, and ushering in the commonwealth of God.

### Racial Equality and Humanity

Diverse peoples—Parsee, Christian, Brahmin, Buddhist, Chinese, Indian, Negro—are shown clasping hands and sharing in divine light.

## Character check-ins

### The People

Represented as diverse nations and faiths uniting across boundaries.

### Japan

Symbolizes the opening of long-closed gates and the embrace of a new day.

### The Hero

Implied as the earnest hearts who toil for justice and truth.

## Key lines

> From centuries of servile toil The Negro finds release, And builds the fanes of prayer and praise Unto the God of Peace.

After ages of slavery, Black people gain freedom and establish churches to worship the God of peace.

_Highlights emancipation and the building of religious community._

> A crusade for the rights of man To brighten history’s page.

The great mission of today is to fight for human rights and improve the historical record.

_Redefines crusade as a moral struggle for justice rather than religious war._

> To plant the roots of coming years In mercy, love and truth; And bid our weary, saddened earth Again renew her youth.

To build a future founded on compassion, love, and honesty, and to rejuvenate a tired and sorrowful world.

_Expresses hope for societal renewal through virtuous action._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-present-age
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters