The Philistine by C.J. Dennis (1911)
The narrative centers on a suburban man named Smith, characterized as socially inept and unconventional. He lives next door to the narrator, who observes Smith's lack of adherence to societal norms and expectations. Smith's lifestyle is marked by disorganization, a disregard for social gatherings, and a preference for solitude. His wife, described as attractive, seems content with their life, despite the narrator's judgment that she has wasted her potential by marrying him. The narrator expresses disdain for Smith's refusal to participate in community activities, such as tennis or social events, and perceives him as a source of embarrassment. Smith's demeanor is dismissive of the narrator's values, leading to a sense of mutual ostracism. The narrator occasionally attempts to engage with Smith, but finds his conversations frustrating due to Smith's crude language and lack of cultural awareness. Smith's indifference to art, literature, and music further alienates him from the narrator and the community. The narrator's attempts to offer advice, such as suggesting Smith improve his appearance, are met with defiance. Smith's nonconformity is both a source of irritation and fascination for the narrator, who grapples with feelings of superiority while simultaneously recognizing Smith's unapologetic authenticity. The poem explores themes of social conformity, the nature of artistic expression, and the tension between individualism and community standards. The narrator's perspective reveals a critique of societal norms, as well as an underlying insecurity about his own values and lifestyle. Ultimately, the work presents a humorous yet poignant examination of the complexities of human relationships within the confines of suburban life.
By C.J. Dennis · First published 1911 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Humor · 833 words
First lines
Smith is a very stupid man; / He lives next door to me; / He has no settled scheme or plan / Of domesticity. / He does not own a gramophone, / Nor rush for morning trains; / His garden paths are overgrown, / He seldom entertains.
In all our staid suburban street / He strikes the one false note. / He goes about in slippered feet, / And seldom wears a coat. / I don't know how he earns his bread; / 'Tis said he paints or writes; / And frequently, I've heard it said, / He works quite late at nights.
What this Textopian page supports
The Philistine is listed on Textopian as a poem by C.J. Dennis, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: C.J. Dennis
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Humor, Social Commentary, Character Study
- Length: 833 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Philistine by C.J. Dennis
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Satire — The poem critiques societal norms and behaviors, particularly the pretentiousness of suburban life.
- Humor — The tone and content contain comedic elements, highlighting the absurdity of the characters and their interactions.
- Social Commentary — The poem reflects on social class distinctions and the judgments made within a community.
Tags
satire · poetry · humor · Australian literature · social commentary · cultural critique · urban life · working class · identity · class struggle · language play · nostalgia