A Poor Stick by Arthur Morrison
The novel follows the life of a young man named Jimmie Dale, who is born into poverty and struggles to make a living on the streets of London. Despite his difficult circumstances, Jimmie remains optimistic and determined to improve his situation. However, his efforts are often met with failure and he finds himself caught in a cycle of poverty and despair. Ultimately, Jimmie's story serves as a commentary on the harsh realities of life for the working class in Victorian England.
By Arthur Morrison · First published 1897 · Genre: Short Stories, Mystery, Detective Fiction · 2,472 words
First lines
Mrs. Jennings (or Jinnins, as the neighbors would have it) ruled absolutely at home, when she took so much trouble as to do anything at all there -- which was less often than might have been. As for Robert, her husband, he was a poor stick, said the neighbors. And yet he was a man with enough of hardihood to remain a non-unionist in the erector's shop at Maidment's all the years of his service; no mean test of a man's fortitude and resolution, as many a sufferer for independent opinion might testify. The truth was that Bob never grew out of his courtship-blindness. Mrs. Jennings governed as she pleased, stayed out or came home as she chose, and cooked a dinner or didn't, as her inclination stood. Thus it was for ten years, during which time there were no children, and Bob bore all things uncomplaining: cooking his own dinner when he found none cooked, and sewing on his own buttons.
What this Textopian page supports
A Poor Stick is listed on Textopian as a short story by Arthur Morrison, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Arthur Morrison
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime
- Length: 2,472 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Genres
- Short Stories — This book is a collection of Arthur Morrison's short stories.
- Mystery — Many of the stories revolve around mysterious circumstances, tests of wit, logic and deduction.
- Detective Fiction — The protagonist often functions as a detective, solving complex puzzles and mysteries.
- Crime — The narrative often surrounds crimes or illegal activities which the protagonist or other characters must investigate or rectify.
Tags
Realism · Social Commentary · Victorian Literature · London Setting · Poverty · Mental Illness · Alcoholism · Gritty Realism · Dark Humor · Satire · Irish Immigration · Working Class