My Bachelor Chum by James Whitcomb Riley
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after years away and reconnects with an old friend from childhood. The narrative explores themes of nostalgia, friendship, and the complexities of growing up.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Character Study · 388 words
First lines
A corpulent man is my bachelor chum, / With a neck apoplectic and thick -- / An abdomen on him as big as a drum, / And a fist big enough for the stick; / With a walk that for grace is clear out of the case, / And a wobble uncertain -- as though / His little bow-legs had forgotten the pace / That in youth used to favor him so.
He is forty, at least; and the top of his head / Is a bald and a glittering thing; / And his nose and his two chubby cheeks are as red / As three rival roses in spring;
What this Textopian page supports
My Bachelor Chum is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1887 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: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Character Study, Social Commentary
- Length: 388 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for My Bachelor Chum by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The poem uses light-hearted and humorous descriptions of the bachelor character and his lifestyle.
- Character Study — The focus is on the detailed portrayal of the bachelor, exploring his personality and habits.
- Social Commentary — The poem reflects on societal views of bachelorhood and marriage, offering a critique of conventional expectations.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Friendship · Coming of Age · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · 19th Century · Indiana · Regionalism · Autobiographical Elements · Nostalgia