Where is Mary Alice Smith?
The poem is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the loss of innocence. It describes a young girl's journey from childhood to adulthood, with the speaker lamenting her departure from a carefree state. The poem explores themes of nostalgia, mortality, and the fleeting nature of youth. The speaker's tone is wistful and introspective, as they recall the girl's transformation from a playful child to a mature woman. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses imagery and metaphor to convey the idea that time is passing, and that nothing can remain the same. The poem ultimately presents a bittersweet portrayal of growth and change.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Fiction, Children's Literature, Mystery · 5,084 words
First lines
"Where -- is -- Mary -- Alice -- Smith? Oh -- / she -- has -- gone -- home! " It was the thin / mysterious voice of little Mary Alice Smith herself / that so often queried and responded as above -- / every word accented with a sweet and eery intonation, / and a very gaiety of solemn earnestness that / baffled the cunning skill of all childish imitators. A / slender wisp of a girl she was, not more than ten / years in appearance, though her age had been / given to us as fourteen. The spindle ankles that / she so airily flourished from the sparse concealment / of a worn and shadowy calico skirt seemed scarce / a fraction more in girth than the slim blue-veined / wrists she tossed among the loose and ragged tresses / of her yellow hair, as she danced around the room. / She was, from the first, an object of curious and / most refreshing interest to our family -- to us children / in particular -- an interest, though years and / years have interposed to shroud it in the dull dust / of forgetfulness, that still remains vivid and bright / and beautiful.
What this Textopian page supports
Where is Mary Alice Smith? is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Children's Literature, Mystery, Drama, Historical Fiction
- Length: 5,084 words
- Structure: 1 section, 41 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Where is Mary Alice Smith? by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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- The Three Jolly Hunters by James Whitcomb Riley
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- Nothin To Say by James Whitcomb Riley
- No Boy Knows by James Whitcomb Riley
- Dot Leedle Boy by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Fiction — The narrative is a fictional story centered around the character Mary Alice Smith and her interactions with others.
- Children's Literature — The story features a child protagonist and is written in a style that appeals to a younger audience.
- Mystery — The story contains elements of mystery, particularly surrounding the character of Mary Alice Smith and her background.
- Drama — The narrative includes dramatic elements, such as emotional interactions and the impact of war.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Children's Poetry · Humorous Verse · Satire · Social Commentary · Folkloric Elements · Regionalism · Indiana Literature · Midwestern Culture · Rural Life