In School-Days
The poem describes the narrator's memories of his school days and the friends he made there. It focuses on the themes of nostalgia, friendship, and the passing of time. The speaker reflects on how his relationships with his classmates have changed over the years, and how they are now scattered across different parts of life.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1826 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Romanticism · 313 words
First lines
Still sits the school-house by the road, A ragged beggar sleeping; Around it still the sumachs grow, And blackberry-vines are creeping.
Within, the master's desk is seen, Deep scarred by raps official; The warping floor, the battered seats, The jack-knife's carved initial;
What this Textopian page supports
In School-Days is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1826 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1826 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Romanticism, Coming-of-Age, Pastoral
- Length: 313 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for In School-Days by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Schoolday Remembrances by John Greenleaf Whittier
- A Backward Look by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Reunion by John Greenleaf Whittier
- A Man Of Many Parts by James Whitcomb Riley
- He And I by James Whitcomb Riley
- My Fathers Halls by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Narrative Poetry — It tells a story of childhood experiences and memories, fitting the narrative poetry genre.
- Romanticism — Themes of nostalgia, nature, and emotional depth align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Coming-of-Age — The poem explores themes of growth, love, and the passage of time, typical of coming-of-age narratives.
Tags
Poetry · Autobiographical · Nostalgia · Childhood · Education · Literary · Classic · American · 19th Century · Memoir · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery