The Pathos of Applause
This collection of poetry explores the human experience through themes of love, loss, and nostalgia. The poems often employ a folksy, down-to-earth tone to convey complex emotions and ideas. The work is characterized by its use of traditional forms and structures, which serves to underscore the timeless nature of the subjects being addressed.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Family, Drama · 434 words
First lines
The greeting of the company throughout Was like a jubilee, -- the children's shout And fusillading hand-claps, with great guns And detonations of the older ones, Raged to such tumult of tempestuous joy, It even more alarmed than pleased the boy; Till, with a sudden twitching lip, he slid Down to the floor and dodged across and hid His face against his mother as she raised Him to the shelter of her heart, and praised His story in low whisperings, and smoothed The "amber-colored hair," and kissed, and soothed And lulled him back to sweet tranquillity -- "And 'ats a sign 'at you're the Ma fer me!"
What this Textopian page supports
The Pathos of Applause 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, Family, Drama, Historical, Children's Literature
- Length: 434 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- The Shepherds Resolution by Franklin P. Adams
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- Is He Living Or Is He Dead by Mark Twain
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyming lines and a rhythmic cadence.
- Family — The narrative centers around familial interactions, particularly between a child and his mother.
- Drama — The text contains dramatic elements, such as emotional tension and expressive dialogue.
- Historical — References to a 'Free-Slave story' suggest historical context and themes.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Irony · Sarcasm · Wit · Literary Satire · Comedic Verse