John Mckeen by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem is a nostalgic tribute to childhood innocence and the passing of time. It describes a young boy's carefree days spent playing with his friends in a rural setting. The speaker reflects on how life has changed, and the boy has grown up, but memories of their joyful times together remain vivid.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Nostalgia, Social Commentary · 461 words
First lines
John McKeen, in his rusty dress, His loosened collar, and swarthy throat; His face unshaven, and none the less, His hearty laugh and his wholesomeness, And the wealth of a workman's vote!
Bring him, O Memory, here once more, And tilt him back in his Windsor chair By the kitchen-stove, when the day is o'er And the light of the hearth is across the floor, And the crickets everywhere!
What this Textopian page supports
John Mckeen 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, Nostalgia, Social Commentary, Domestic Fiction, Pastoral
- Length: 461 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for John Mckeen by James Whitcomb Riley
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Nostalgia — The themes revolve around longing for the past and simpler times, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
- Social Commentary — The poem critiques societal changes and personal ambition, reflecting on the loss of simpler, happier times.
- Domestic Fiction — The setting and themes focus on home life, family, and community interactions.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · 19th Century · Indiana Author · Regionalism · Folklore · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Rural Life · Working Class · Labor Movement