The October Redbreast
The October Redbreast by Alice Meynell is a poem that explores the themes of mortality, nature, and the passing of time. The speaker reflects on the redbreast's autumnal plumage, which symbolizes the fleeting beauty of life. As the seasons change, the redbreast's colors fade, and it too will eventually succumb to death. The poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
By Alice Meynell · First published 1906 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Suspense · 106 words
First lines
Autumn is weary, halt, and old;
Ah, but she owns the song of joy!
Her colours fade, her woods are cold.
Her singing-bird's a boy, a boy.
What this Textopian page supports
The October Redbreast is listed on Textopian as a poem by Alice Meynell, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Alice Meynell
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Suspense, Crime Fiction
- Length: 106 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The October Redbreast by Alice Meynell
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The October Redbreast?
- How does this poem by Alice Meynell fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Mystery — The title 'THE OCTOBER REDBREAST' suggests an element of mystery, and Alice Meynell is known for crafting mysterious narratives.
- Detective Fiction — Alice Meynell's narrative style involves unraveling puzzles, typically characteristic of Detective Fiction.
- Suspense — The narrative adopts a pace and style that keeps readers on edge, indicating the genre of Suspense.
- Crime Fiction — Themes of investigation and potential wrongdoing hint at the genre of Crime Fiction.
Tags
poetry · nature · autumn · birds · seasonal change · symbolism · romanticism · emotional depth · intricate language · metaphor · imagery · sensory details
More by Alice Meynell
- Poems: SONNET -- MY HEART SHALL BE THY GARDEN (1903)
- Poems: SONNET -- THOUGHTS IN SEPARATION (1903)
- Poems: TO A POET (1903)
- Poems: SONG OF THE SPRING TO THE SUMMER: THE POET SINGS TO HER POET (1903)
- Poems: TO THE BELOVED (1903)
- Poems: MEDITATION (1903)
- Poems: TO THE BELOVED DEAD -- A LAMENT (1903)
- Poems: SONNET (1903)
- All works by Alice Meynell