Elmer Brown by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem is a nostalgic tribute to childhood memories of Elmer Brown, who has grown up and moved away from his rural home. The speaker reminisces about their carefree days together, playing in the woods and fields, and now laments the loss of innocence and simplicity that comes with growing older.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Children's Poetry, Humor, Family · 354 words
First lines
Awf'lest boy in this-here town Er anywheres is Elmer Brown!
He'll mock you -- yes, an' strangers, too, An' make a face an' yell at you, -- "_Here's_ the way _you_ look!"
What this Textopian page supports
Elmer Brown is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Poetry, Humor, Family, School, Satire
- Length: 354 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Elmer Brown 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Elmer Brown?
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- Where does Children's Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Children's Poetry — The work is a poem with a playful tone and simple language, suitable for children.
- Humor — The poem uses humorous situations and exaggerated character behavior to entertain.
- Family — The poem includes interactions with family members, highlighting familial relationships.
- School — The setting includes a school environment, with references to a teacher and classmates.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Humorous Verse · Satire · Social Commentary · Fictionalized Biography · Regionalism · Midwestern Culture · Rural Life · Farce · Comedy of Manners · Character Study