A Fantasy by James Whitcomb Riley
The story takes place in a medieval-like world where magic and mythical creatures exist. The protagonist is a young man who embarks on a journey to find his missing sister, who has been kidnapped by an evil sorcerer. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and challenges, including fierce battles with monsters and treacherous landscapes. As he navigates through this fantastical world, the protagonist discovers that he possesses magical abilities of his own, which he must learn to control in order to rescue his sister. The story is a classic tale of good vs. evil, with themes of courage, perseverance, and self-discovery. The narrative is written in a lyrical style, with vivid descriptions of the fantastical world and its inhabitants. The author's use of language creates a sense of wonder and enchantment, drawing the reader into the story and immersing them in the world of magic and adventure.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Fantasy, Romantic, Gothic · 944 words
First lines
A fantasy that came to me As wild and wantonly designed As ever any dream might be Unraveled from a madman's mind, -- A tangle-work of tissue, wrought By cunning of the spider-brain, And woven, in an hour of pain, To trap the giddy flies of thought.
I stood beneath a summer moon All swollen to uncanny girth, And hanging, like the sun at noon, Above the center of the earth; But with a sad and sallow light, As it had sickened of the night And fallen in a pallid swoon.
What this Textopian page supports
A Fantasy is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Romantic, Gothic, Symbolism, Lyric
- Length: 944 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Fantasy by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Fantasy?
- How does this short story by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Fantasy — The poem features fantastical elements such as a surreal landscape, mystical creatures, and dream-like sequences.
- Romantic — The narrative includes themes of longing, beauty, and an ethereal love interest.
- Gothic — The poem contains dark, mysterious, and supernatural elements, such as a ghostly presence and eerie atmosphere.
- Symbolism — The use of vivid imagery and symbolic language conveys deeper meanings and emotions.
Tags
Poetry · Fiction · Fantasy · Literary · Classic · American · 19th Century · Romanticism · Symbolic · Imagery · Dreamlike · Whimsical