A Photographic Failure
The narrative follows Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle, who encounters a Periwinkle by a stream while seeking to take a photograph. Initially, Hinkle feels a desire to capture the moment but struggles with his pose, adopting a serious demeanor. The Periwinkle, trusting Hinkle's intentions, encourages him to smile for the camera. However, as Hinkle attempts to comply, he becomes increasingly anxious, fearing that his exaggerated grin might cause the Periwinkle to fall into the water. This anxiety escalates as he feels his hair stand on end, reflecting his growing distress about the situation. Ultimately, Hinkle, sensing an impending storm, decides to leave abruptly, bidding farewell to the Periwinkle, who is left bewildered by the sudden departure. The poem captures themes of anxiety, the pressure of performance, and the humorous miscommunication between the characters, culminating in a lighthearted yet poignant exploration of social interactions and expectations.
By Carolyn Wells · First published 1920 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Suspense · 283 words
First lines
Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle Saw a patient Periwinkle With a kodak, sitting idly by a rill. Feeling a desire awaken For to have his picture taken, Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle stood stock-still.
Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle Felt his brow begin to wrinkle, And his pose assume a sad and solemn style; But the Periwinkle trusted, As the focus he adjusted, That his customer would kindly try to smile.
Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle Felt his eyes begin to twinkle, And his mouth took on a broad and open grin; Said the Periwinkle, sadly, "If you stretch your jaw so madly, I fear perhaps that I shall tumble in."
What this Textopian page supports
A Photographic Failure is listed on Textopian as a short story by Carolyn Wells, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Carolyn Wells
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Suspense, Historical Fiction
- Length: 283 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Photographic Failure by Carolyn Wells
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Photographic Failure?
- How does this short story by Carolyn Wells fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Magic Casket by R. Austin Freeman
- A Point Of Testimony by Carolyn Wells
- Fourth Of July by Carolyn Wells
- The White Alley by Carolyn Wells
- The Black Box by E. Phillips Oppenheim
- The Rivals by Carolyn Wells
Genres
- Mystery — The book plot centers around a mysterious incident where a photograph fails to develop properly, leading to many puzzling and enigmatic situations.
- Detective Fiction — The characters in the story investigate and try to solve the mystery of the failed photograph.
- Suspense — As the mystery deepens, the author maintains suspense to keep the readers on the edge.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in an earlier period, providing a historical context.
Tags
mystery · detective · crime · suspense · thriller · investigation · photography · secrets · deception · plot twist · intrigue · murder