Little Dora by James McIntyre (1867)
The poem presents a tender and playful dialogue between a parent and their young daughter, Dora. The parent expresses a sense of sorrow, likely stemming from the affection and attention Dora receives from others, such as relatives and friends. The child, in response, reassures the parent of her love and intentions, indicating that all the kisses she receives will be returned to her parents. Dora's promise to give back each kiss symbolizes her understanding of love and affection as a reciprocal exchange. She suggests that her love is like a bank, where the affection she receives can be invested and returned with interest. This metaphor emphasizes the idea of nurturing relationships and the joy that comes from sharing love within a family. The poem captures the innocence and sincerity of childhood, highlighting the bond between parent and child. Dora's playful assurance that her "bank" of love will never break reinforces the theme of enduring familial love and the importance of emotional investment in relationships. The overall tone is light-hearted and affectionate, celebrating the simple yet profound connections that define family life.
By James McIntyre · First published 1867 · Genre: Children's Poetry, Family, Humor · 157 words
First lines
I tell you what my little Dora, / You do cause my heart to sorrow, / Tell me now you little misses / What you do with all your kisses.
I see you get them by the dozen / From each aunt and little cousin, / Said she I do intend dear pa / To give them all to you and ma.
And not a single one I'll miss, / But I will give you back each kiss, / And both of you will feel you're blest / When I pay you interest.
You'll better in my bank invest / And put my principle to test, / And you can dividend partake, / For my bank will never break.
What this Textopian page supports
Little Dora is listed on Textopian as a poem by James McIntyre, dated 1867 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James McIntyre
- Date: 1867 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Poetry, Family, Humor, Romantic, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 157 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Little Dora by James McIntyre
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Children's Poetry — The poem is written in a playful and whimsical style, appealing to children and focusing on themes relevant to their experiences.
- Family — The poem explores familial love and relationships, particularly between a child and her parents.
- Humor — The light-hearted tone and playful language create a humorous atmosphere, making it enjoyable for readers.
- Romantic — The theme of affection and giving kisses suggests a romantic undertone, albeit in a childlike context.
Tags
Children's Literature · Poetry · Nonsense Verse · Satire · Social Commentary · Feminism · Literary Satire · Humor · Irony · Absurdity · Critique of Society · Commentary on Class