Little Orphant Annie (in Dialect)
The poem tells the story of a young orphan girl who lives with her grandmother and is left alone to care for herself when her grandmother goes out. The girl's mother had died and her father was absent, leaving her in a vulnerable position. The poem highlights the struggles of poverty and the difficulties faced by children living on their own. It also touches on themes of loneliness, abandonment, and the importance of kindness and generosity towards those in need. The speaker of the poem is an older woman who has taken the girl under her wing and provides for her, but the girl's situation remains precarious. The poem ends with a sense of uncertainty about the girl's future, leaving the reader to wonder what will become of her.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1885 · Genre: Children's Poetry, Folklore, Horror · 542 words
First lines
Little Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay, An' wash the cups an' saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away, An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep, An' make the fire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board-an'-keep; An' all us other childern, when the supper things is done, We set around the kitchen fire an' has the mostest fun A-list'nin' to the witch-tales 'at Annie tells about, An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits you Ef you Don't Watch Out!
Onc't they was a little boy wouldn't say his prayers -- , An' when he went to bed at night, away up stairs, His Mammy heerd him holler, an' his Daddy heerd him bawl, An' when they turn't the kivvers down, he wasn't there at all!
What this Textopian page supports
Little Orphant Annie (in Dialect) is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1885 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: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Poetry, Folklore, Horror, Dialect Literature, Moral Instruction
- Length: 542 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Children's Poetry — The poem is written in a style and language accessible to children, with a focus on storytelling and moral lessons.
- Folklore — The narrative includes elements of folklore, such as goblins and moral tales, which are traditional in nature.
- Horror — The poem contains elements of horror, with references to goblins and supernatural occurrences meant to instill fear.
- Dialect Literature — The poem is written in a regional dialect, which is a significant aspect of its style and presentation.
Tags
Poetry · Children's Literature · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Dialect Poetry · Regionalism · Indiana Literature · Orphan Fiction · Childhood Innocence · Social Commentary · Rural Life · Working Class