My Boy by James Whitcomb Riley

Name: My Boy
Author: James Whitcomb Riley

The story revolves around a young boy who lives with his mother and grandmother on a farm. He is depicted as being very close to nature and has a deep understanding of the world around him. The narrative explores themes of childhood innocence, simplicity, and the beauty of rural life.

By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Coming-of-Age, Literary · 96 words

First lines

You smile and you smoke your cigar, my boy; You walk with a languid swing; You tinkle and tune your guitar, my boy, And you lift up your voice and sing; The midnight moon is a friend of yours, And a serenade your joy -- And it's only an age like mine that cures A trouble like yours, my boy!

What this Textopian page supports

My Boy is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Coming-of-Age, Literary
Length: 96 words
Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

Good citation fit

Work identity for My Boy by James Whitcomb Riley
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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
Coming-of-Age — The themes reflect youthful behavior and the transition to maturity.
Literary — The writing style emphasizes artistic expression and thematic depth.