The Singer by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem describes a singer who has lost their voice due to illness and is now unable to perform. The speaker reflects on the singer's past performances, highlighting their unique talent and ability to convey emotions through music. The poem expresses a sense of loss and longing for the singer's return to the stage.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1886 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Tragedy · 75 words
First lines
While with Ambition's hectic flame / He wastes the midnight oil, / And dreams, high-throned on heights of fame, / To rest him from his toil, --
Death's Angel, like a vast eclipse, / Above him spreads her wings, / And fans the embers of his lips / To ashes as he sings.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential concepts such as ambition, fame, and mortality.
- Tragedy — The narrative conveys a sense of inevitable decline and the futility of human endeavors.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and metaphor, such as 'Death's Angel' and 'midnight oil,' suggests deeper symbolic meanings.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Folk Poetry · Rural Life · Nature Imagery · Simple Language · Free Verse · Regionalism · Indiana · Midwestern · Agriculture
What this Textopian page supports
The Singer is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1886 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: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Tragedy, Symbolism
- Length: 75 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
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