The Deserted Village: Poetry Guide and Free Edition
The Deserted Village: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Deserted Village is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Goldsmith, Oliver (?–1774).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Deserted Village" by Oliver Goldsmith is a poem written in the 18th century. This reflective piece explores themes of rural life, nostalgia, and the impacts of commercialization on agrarian society. In the poem, Goldsmith laments the loss of the idyllic village life of Sweet Auburn, which represents a simpler, happier existence in harmony with nature. The poem begins with an affectionate description of Sweet Auburn, celebrating the joys of village life, including communal activities, pastoral beauty, and the bonds formed among its people. As the narrative unfolds, it shifts to a more somber tone, detailing the decline of the village due to the encroachment of wealth and industrialization, leading to desolation and despair. Goldsmith poignantly illustrates the plight of the villagers forced to abandon their home for the allure of urban wealth, only to find themselves in a harsher environment. The poem ends with a mournful farewell to the rustic virtues and the community spirit that once thrived in Sweet Auburn, highlighting the detrimental effects of luxury and loss of innocence.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Deserted Village
- Author credits: Goldsmith, Oliver (?–1774)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- English poetry -- 18th century
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Poetry
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


