A Hobo Voluntary
The poem describes a hobo's life on the road, his freedom and independence, but also his loneliness and poverty. He travels from place to place, taking odd jobs and living off scraps. Despite his hardships, he finds joy in his nomadic existence and the sense of community with other hobos.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Realism · 984 words
First lines
Oh, the hobo's life is a roving life; It robs pretty maids of their heart's delight -- It causes them to weep and it causes them to mourn For the life of a hobo, never to return.
The hobo's heart it is light and free, Though it's Sweethearts all, farewell, to thee! -- Farewell to thee, for it's far away The homeless hobo's footsteps stray.
What this Textopian page supports
A Hobo Voluntary is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Realism, American Literature, Social Commentary
- Length: 984 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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- Deformed by James Whitcomb Riley
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- A Noted Traveler by James Whitcomb Riley
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story about the life and experiences of a hobo, fitting the narrative poetry genre.
- Realism — The poem provides a realistic depiction of the hobo lifestyle, focusing on everyday experiences and settings.
- American Literature — The themes and setting are distinctly American, reflecting the cultural and social aspects of the United States.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Hobo Culture · Travel Writing · Autobiographical · Memoir · Social Commentary · Working Class · Labor Movement · Regionalism · Midwestern