The Lyttel Boy by Eugene Field
The story revolves around a young boy who dies prematurely due to his fragile health. The narrative explores the theme of mortality and the emotional impact it has on those left behind.
By Eugene Field · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Religious · 313 words
First lines
Sometime there ben a lyttel boy / That wolde not renne and play, / And helpless like that little tyke / Ben allwais in the way. / "Goe, make you merrie with the rest," / His weary moder cried; / But with a frown he catcht her gown / And hong untill her side.
That boy did love his moder well, / Which spake him faire, I ween; / He loved to stand and hold her hand / And ken her with his een; / His cosset bleated in the croft, / His toys unheeded lay, -- / He wolde not goe, but, tarrying soe, / Ben allwais in the way.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lyttel Boy is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Religious, Lyric, Narrative
- Length: 313 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lyttel Boy by Eugene Field
- 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
Similar titles
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- Cousin Rufus Story by James Whitcomb Riley
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- Little Homers Slate by Eugene Field
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The themes revolve around childhood, parental love, and innocence, making it suitable for a young audience.
- Religious — The poem references God and conveys themes of divine love and the significance of children in a spiritual context.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Tags
American Literature · Children's Fiction · Coming-of-Age · Family Relationships · Growing Up · Humor · Innocence · Juvenile Fiction · Late 19th Century · Literary Realism · Middle Grade · Morality Tale