Dead in Sight of Fame by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem explores the theme of unrequited love and the fleeting nature of fame. The speaker describes a person who has achieved great success but remains isolated and unhappy due to their inability to connect with others on an emotional level.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Lyrical · 220 words
First lines
DIED -- Early morning of September 5, 1876, and / in the gleaming dawn of "name and fame,"
Hamilton J. Dunbar.
Dead! Dead! Dead!
We thought him ours alone; / And were so proud to see him tread / The rounds of fame, and lift his head / Where sunlight ever shone; / But now our aching eyes are dim, / And look through tears in vain for him.
What this Textopian page supports
Dead in Sight of Fame 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, Elegy, Lyrical, Religious, Biographical
- Length: 220 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Dead in Sight of Fame by James Whitcomb Riley
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Elegy — The poem mourns the death of an individual, reflecting on loss and remembrance, typical of an elegy.
- Lyrical — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, focusing on themes of grief and fame, aligning with lyrical poetry.
- Religious — References to Heaven and spiritual reconciliation suggest religious undertones.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Fictionalized Autobiography · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Social Commentary · Rural Life · Indiana Setting · Poetic Prose · Autobiographical Elements · Nostalgia