Mr. what's-His-Name
The novel revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after years away and becomes involved with a woman from a lower social class. The story explores themes of love, class differences, and the complexities of small-town life.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Mystery, Drama, Poetry · 607 words
First lines
They called him Mr. What's-his-name: From where he was, or why he came, Or when, or what he found to do, Nobody in the city knew.
He lived, it seemed, shut up alone In a low hovel of his own; There cooked his meals and made his bed, Careless of all his neighbors said.
What this Textopian page supports
Mr. what's-His-Name 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: Mystery, Drama, Poetry, Tragedy, Social Commentary
- Length: 607 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mr. what's-His-Name 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Mr. what's-His-Name?
- How does this poem by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around the enigmatic life and actions of Mr. What's-his-name, creating a sense of intrigue and suspense.
- Drama — The story explores deep emotional themes, including isolation, misunderstanding, and the revelation of hidden truths.
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, utilizing poetic devices and a lyrical style to convey its narrative and themes.
- Tragedy — The story concludes with the death of the protagonist and the tragic revelation of his life circumstances.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Humorous Verse · Satire · Social Commentary · 19th Century American Poetry · Regionalism · Midwestern Culture · Folkloric Elements · Whimsy · Wordplay · Nonsense Verse