Boy o' Dreams by Helen Hay Whitney
The novel revolves around a young woman's journey of self-discovery and growth as she navigates her relationships with others and grapples with the societal expectations placed upon her. It explores themes of identity, morality, and the constraints of social class, delving into the complexities of human nature and the consequences of one's choices. The narrative is characterized by a strong sense of realism, offering a candid portrayal of life in the late 19th century.
By Helen Hay Whitney · First published 1903 · Genre: Poetry, Fantasy, Romance · 167 words
First lines
Must I leave you in the mountains, Boy o' dreams, Must I leave you where the fountains Toss the silver of their streams, Where the trees are clothed in samite, And the little broken moon Is a symbol and an answer, Like the reading of a rune?
May I take you to the city, Boy o' dreams, Where your heart will break with pity At the lethargy that seems Only half alive to living, Only enemy to mirth, Where the dusty facts will blind you To the fancies of the earth?
What this Textopian page supports
Boy o' Dreams is listed on Textopian as a poem by Helen Hay Whitney, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Helen Hay Whitney
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Fantasy, Romance, Philosophical
- Length: 167 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Boy o' Dreams by Helen Hay Whitney
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Boy o' Dreams?
- How does this poem by Helen Hay Whitney fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery.
- Fantasy — The text includes fantastical elements such as dreams, symbols, and mythical imagery.
- Romance — The poem expresses deep emotional connections and affection, particularly in the metaphor of the 'Boy o' dreams'.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions about dreams, reality, and the human condition.
Tags
Coming-of-age · Fiction · Literary · Novel · Realism · American · 19th-century · Social-class · Family-dynamics · Identity-crisis · Self-discovery · Youth
More by Helen Hay Whitney
- Sonnets (1905)
- Songs (1905)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: THE DAYS (1898)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: THE EVERLASTING SNOWS (1898)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: THRONE AND ALTAR (1898)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: EAST AND WEST (1898)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: THE BATTLE (1898)
- Some Verses: Sonnets: WATER AND WINE (1898)
- All works by Helen Hay Whitney