Das Krist Kindel by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem is a nostalgic and sentimental portrayal of childhood innocence and the passing of time. It describes a young boy's memories of Christmas Eve and his anticipation of waking up to find gifts from Santa Claus. The poem explores themes of nostalgia, longing, and the fleeting nature of childhood.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1875 · Genre: Poetry, Christmas, Fantasy · 878 words
First lines
I had fed the fire and stirred it, till the sparkles in delight / Snapped their saucy little fingers at the chill December night; / And in dressing-gown and slippers, I had tilted back "my throne" -- / The old split-bottomed rocker -- and was musing all alone.
I could hear the hungry Winter prowling round the outer door, / And the tread of muffled footsteps on the white piazza floor; / But the sounds came to me only as the murmur of a stream / That mingled with the current of a lazy-flowing dream.
What this Textopian page supports
Das Krist Kindel is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1875 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: 1875 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Christmas, Fantasy, Religious, Children's Literature
- Length: 878 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Das Krist Kindel by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Christmas — The narrative centers around a Christmas theme, with references to the holiday and its associated imagery.
- Fantasy — The poem includes fantastical elements such as visions, elfish figures, and magical transformations.
- Religious — There are religious undertones with references to prayer, shepherds, and a divine presence.
Tags
Poetry · Christmas · Nativity · Folklore · American Literature · 19th Century · Children's Literature · Holiday Story · Christianity · Symbolism · Imagery · Rural Setting