James Whitcomb Riley | Criticism

This literature criticism consists of approximately 26 pages of analysis & critique of James Whitcomb Riley.

James Whitcomb Riley | Criticism

This literature criticism consists of approximately 26 pages of analysis & critique of James Whitcomb Riley.
This section contains 5,122 words
(approx. 18 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Critical Essay by Daniel L. Marsh

SOURCE: Marsh, Daniel L. “Practical Religion: Humble Service.” In The Faith of the People's Poet, pp. 205-29. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1920.

In the following essay, Marsh reads Riley's poetry against Biblical stories and aphorisms to suggest that the down-to-earth, everyday qualities of his poems provide a foundation for daily religious practice.

In his poem entitled “My Philosofy,” Riley declared

No man is grate tel he can see How less than little he would be Ef stripped to self, and stark and bare He hung his sign out anywhare. 

In this instance his “Philosophy” squares with that of other great thinkers. Confucius once said: “Humility is the solid foundation of all the virtues.” John Ruskin said: “I believe that the first test of a truly great man is humility.” Whittier felt that

The Lord's best interpreters Are humble human souls. 

Jesus Himself once gave an example of true greatness...

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This section contains 5,122 words
(approx. 18 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Critical Essay by Daniel L. Marsh
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Critical Essay by Daniel L. Marsh from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.