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
- 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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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