A Noted Traveler
The poem describes a traveler who has seen many places and experienced various cultures. He reflects on the beauty of nature and the kindness of strangers he met during his journeys. The poem conveys a sense of nostalgia and longing for the freedom to roam. It also touches on the idea that home is where the heart is, but the traveler's heart belongs to the world outside.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature · 490 words
First lines
Even in such a scene of senseless play The children were surprised one summer-day By a strange man who called across the fence, Inquiring for their father's residence; And, being answered that this was the place, Opened the gate, and with a radiant face, Came in and sat down with them in the shade And waited -- till the absent father made His noon appearance, with a warmth and zest That told he had no ordinary guest In this man whose low-spoken name he knew At once, demurring as the stranger drew A stuffy notebook out and turned and set A big fat finger on a page and let The writing thereon testify instead Of further speech. And as the father read All silently, the curious children took Exacting inventory both of book And man: -- He wore a long-napped white fur-hat Pulled firmly on his head, and under that Rather long silvery hair, or iron-gray -- For he was not an old man, -- anyway, Not beyond sixty. And he wore a pair Of square-framed spectacles -- or rather there Were two more than a pair, -- the extra two Flared at the corners, at the eyes' side-view, In as redundant vision as the eyes Of grasshoppers or bees or dragonflies.
What this Textopian page supports
A Noted Traveler is listed on Textopian as a poem 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: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Mystery, Social Commentary
- Length: 490 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Noted Traveler by James Whitcomb Riley
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Noted Traveler?
- How does this poem by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Autobiography Of Mark Twain by Mark Twain
- To Delaware by John Greenleaf Whittier
- A Hobo Voluntary by James Whitcomb Riley
- My Debut As A Literary Person by Mark Twain
- Roughing It Part 8 by Mark Twain
- Roughing It Part 7 by Mark Twain
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and rhyming pattern, characteristic of poetry.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative references historical themes and events, such as 'Anti-slavery' and 'Emancipate,' suggesting a historical context.
- Children's Literature — The story is centered around children and their perspective, making it relatable to a younger audience.
- Mystery — The presence of a mysterious traveler and the secretive discussions hint at a mysterious element.
Tags
Travelogue · Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Humorous · Satirical · Social Commentary · Observational · Witty · Insightful · Cultural Critique · Regionalism