Man's Devotion by James Whitcomb Riley
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security. She struggles with her feelings of love and duty towards him, while also navigating the societal expectations placed upon her. The narrative explores themes of marriage, class, and personal identity.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Romance, Tragedy, Poetry · 628 words
First lines
A lover said, "O Maiden, love me well, / For I must go away: / And should ANOTHER ever come to tell / Of love -- What WILL you say?"
And she let fall a royal robe of hair / That folded on his arm / And made a golden pillow for her there; / Her face -- as bright a charm
As ever setting held in kingly crown -- / Made answer with a look, / And reading it, the lover bended down, / And, trusting, "kissed the book."
He took a fond farewell and went away.
What this Textopian page supports
Man's Devotion is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Tragedy, Poetry, Drama
- Length: 628 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Man's Devotion 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
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love, devotion, and relationships, focusing on the emotional journey of the characters.
- Tragedy — The narrative includes elements of sorrow, betrayal, and emotional turmoil, culminating in a poignant resolution.
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, utilizing poetic devices such as rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- Drama — The story involves intense emotional conflicts and dramatic revelations that drive the plot forward.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Romance · Devotion · Love · Relationships · Marriage · Faithfulness · Loyalty · Dedication · Commitment