The Good, Old-Fashioned People
This collection of poetry explores the nostalgia for a simpler time and place, often focusing on rural Indiana life. The poems portray a romanticized view of traditional values and customs, emphasizing the importance of community, hard work, and family ties.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1885 · Genre: Poetry, Nostalgia, Pastoral · 349 words
First lines
When we hear Uncle Sidney tell / About the long-ago / An' old, old friends he loved so well / When _he_ was young -- My-oh! -- / Us childern all wish _we'd 'a'_ bin / A-livin' then with Uncle, -- so / We could a-kindo' happened in / On them old friends he used to know! -- / The good, old-fashioned people -- / The hale, hard-working people -- / The kindly country people / 'At Uncle used to know!
They was God's people, Uncle says, / An' gloried in His name, / An' worked, without no selfishness, / An' loved their neighbers same / As they was kin: An' when they biled / Their tree-molasses, in the Spring, / Er butchered in the Fall, they smiled / An' sheered with all jist ever'thing! --
What this Textopian page supports
The Good, Old-Fashioned People is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1885 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: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nostalgia, Pastoral, Family, Historical
- Length: 349 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Good, Old-Fashioned People by James Whitcomb Riley
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Nostalgia — The themes revolve around reminiscing about the past and longing for simpler times.
- Pastoral — The depiction of rural life and country people aligns with pastoral themes.
- Family — The narrative is centered around family storytelling and generational connections.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Nostalgia · Rural Life · Folk Culture · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Regionalism · Indiana · Midwestern United States · 19th Century