James Whitcomb
James Whitcomb
Could someone help with a thesis statement?
Can someone help me formulate a good thesis statement on "Leonanie" by James Whitcomb Riley found here: http://underthesun.cc/Riley/completeworks/completeworks71.html'
We're having a very difficult time even discerning what the poem might be about. Thanks.
This link talks about Riley trying to pass off the poem as Edgar Allan Poe.
http://www.jameswhitcombriley.com/leonainie.htm
excerpt
Riley wrote Leonainie to prove a point.
In July, 1877, shortly after Riley had composed the poem "Leonainie" and shortly after poetry he had sent to an Eastern magazine for publication had been rejected, Riley spoke with anguish to friends. He angrily proposed the theory that his poetry was rejected by national publications in the Eastern cities simply because his name was unknown, not because his poetry was not good enough.
To prove the theory, Riley proposed to pass off his poem "Leonainie" as one written by Edgar Allan Poe. His hypotheses was that the poem would be immediately successful because its author was known to fame. Riley's friend, William H. Croan, Junior Editor of Riley's newspaper, the Anderson DEMOCRAT, and a journalist from the competing Anderson newspaper, William Kinnard of the Anderson Herald, together with Mrs. D.M. Jordan, a contributor to the Richmond "Independent" were the initial conspirators about the project. The three decided on the Kokomo DISPATCH as the newspaper to approach about initially printing the hoax poem. Riley wrote the Editor of that paper, Oscar Henderson, the following letter:
 |
 POETRY OF JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY 10 vols leather DISPLAY  US $1,775.00
|
 Riley James Whitcomb Howard Chandler Christy SWEETHEART US $575.00
|
 Flying Island of the Night The James Whitcomb Riley US $450.00
|
 Signed Howard Chandler Christy Old Sweetheart James Whitcomb Riley Collectible US $375.00
|
 James Whitcomb Riley Host Of Children HC DJ 1st 1st US $374.79
|
 AN OLD SWEETHEART OF MINE By JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY 1902 US $344.99
|
 RARE Antique Afterwhiles James Whitcomb Riley SIGNED US $299.00
|
 James Whitcomb Riley Works 16 Volumes Poetry 1906 US $220.00
|
 Neghborly Poems By James Whitcomb Riley 1891 US $205.00
|
 James Whitcomb Riley 1st EDITION Songs Of Home POEMS US $200.00
|
 The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley 10 Vol Set 1916 US $195.00
|
 THE OLD SWIMMIN HOLE JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY 1888 US $169.99
|
 Works of James Whitcomb Riley 10 Volume Rare Book Set US $165.00
|
 Old Sweetheart Of Mine James Whitcomb Riley 1902 US $150.00
|
 The Days Gone By James Whitcomb Riley 1895 Rare US $135.00
|
 Afterwhiles 1891 James Whitcomb Riley 20 OFF US $135.00
|
 Riley James Whitcomb The Girl I Loved US $121.50
|
 Riley James Whitcomb AN OLD SWEETHEART OF MINE US $112.50
|
 An Old Sweetheart of Mine James Whitcomb Riley 1st 1st 1902 Christy US $112.49
|
 BOOK JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY COLLECTION 8 VOLUMES US $100.00
|
 Out To Old Aunt Marys by James Whitcomb Riley 1904 US $100.00
|
 The Works of James Whitcomb Riley 1903 Auth Signature US $99.99
|
 RILEY ROSES 1909 JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY MINT COPY US $99.99
|
 10 VolsWORKS of JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY1898 US $99.99
|
 ANTIQUE POETRY BOOK COMPLETE WORKS JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY 1937 US $99.00 |
 THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY 10 BOOK SET 1916 HARDCOVER US $95.00
|
James Whitcomb Riley."The raggedy man" Poem Animation Movie
