Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Old Story Books" is a poem by Eliza Cook, published in 1845. Cook was an English poet and author who wrote extensively on social justice issues, particularly the rights of women and the working class. This poem reflects her nostalgic longing for the simpler times of her childhood and her love for the stories that she read in old storybooks.

The main theme of "Old Story Books" is nostalgia for a simpler time. The speaker longs for the days of her childhood when she would read stories from old books, a time before the worries and responsibilities of adulthood. The poem celebrates the power of storytelling to transport the reader to other worlds and times. Another theme is the transformative power of imagination. The speaker imagines herself as a princess, a pirate, and a warrior, showing how books can inspire children to dream big and become whoever they want to be.

Eliza Cook describes a variety of classic stories that were popular during her time. Here are a few examples:

• "Robinson Crusoe," the story of a man who becomes stranded on a desert island and must learn to survive on his own
• "The Pilgrim's Progress," an allegory about a man's journey through life and his struggle to reach heaven
• "Cinderella," a fairy tale about a young woman who is mistreated by her stepfamily but ultimately finds happiness with a prince
• "The Arabian Nights," a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales that includes the stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba
• "Don Quixote," a novel about a man who becomes delusional and thinks he is a knight, leading him on various misadventures

By evoking these classic stories, Cook is emphasizing the enduring power of storytelling and the impact that these tales can have on our lives. She is also celebrating the joy of reading and the importance of preserving these beloved stories for future generations.

"Old Story Books" is a six-stanza poem with a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB. The language is simple and straightforward, reflecting the theme of the poem. Cook uses vivid imagery to evoke the magic of the stories, describing how they "opened a new world" to her and allowed her to "roam through a land of enchantment." The repetition of the phrase "old story books" reinforces the importance of these books to the speaker and to the broader theme of the poem.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...