Old Aunt Mary's by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem is a nostalgic tribute to the speaker's childhood memories of visiting his aunt's home. The old aunt's house is depicted as a warm and welcoming place where the speaker spent happy hours playing with his cousins. The poem evokes a sense of simplicity, innocence, and contentment, highlighting the joys of rural life in the late 19th century.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Nostalgia, Family, Pastoral · 413 words
First lines
Wasn't it pleasant, O brother mine, / In those old days of the lost sunshine / Of youth -- when the Saturday's chores were through, / And the "Sunday's wood" in the kitchen, too, / And we went visiting, "me and you,"
Out to Old Aunt Mary's?
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Old Aunt Mary's 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: Nostalgia, Family, Pastoral, Sentimental, Elegy
- Length: 413 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Old Aunt Mary's by James Whitcomb Riley
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Genres
- Nostalgia — The poem reflects on fond memories of childhood visits to Aunt Mary's, evoking a sense of longing for the past.
- Family — The central theme revolves around familial bonds and the warmth of visiting a beloved family member.
- Pastoral — The setting includes rural landscapes and elements of nature, typical of pastoral themes.
- Sentimental — The emotional tone is tender and affectionate, focusing on cherished memories and feelings.
Tags
Poetry · Nostalgia · Family · Childhood · Memory · Love · Loss · Grief · Sentimental · Traditional · Folkloric · Rural