Mumps by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
MUMPS is a novel by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, published in 1929. It tells the story of a young girl, Mumps, who lives in a small Kentucky town in the early 1900s. She is an orphan, living with her aunt and uncle, and is often lonely and misunderstood. Mumps is a bright and imaginative girl, and she finds solace in the natural world around her. She befriends a variety of animals, including a raccoon, a possum, and a skunk. She also finds comfort in the stories her aunt tells her about the old days, and in the music of the local church. As Mumps grows older, she begins to explore the world around her, and discovers a new sense of freedom and independence. She also begins to understand the complexities of the adult world, and the struggles of the people in her community. Mumps eventually finds a place in the world, and learns to accept herself and her place in it. The novel is a coming-of-age story, and a celebration of the beauty and resilience of the human spirit.
By Elizabeth Madox Roberts · First published 1922 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Realism, Historical Fiction · 130 words
First lines
I had a feeling in my neck, And on the sides were two big bumps; I couldn't swallow anything At all because I had the mumps.
And Mother tied it with a piece, And then she tied up Will and John, And no one else but Dick was left That didn't have a mump rag on.
He teased at us and laughed at us, And said, whenever he went by, "It's vinegar and lemon drops And pickles!" just to make us cry.
But Tuesday Dick was very sad And cried because his neck was sore, And not a one said sour things To anybody any more.
What this Textopian page supports
Mumps is listed on Textopian as a short story by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, dated 1922 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Southern Gothic, Realism, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 130 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mumps by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
- 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 Mumps?
- How does this short story by Elizabeth Madox Roberts fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Southern Gothic first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Southern Gothic — MUMPS is set in rural Kentucky and explores themes of poverty, isolation, and the effects of the Great Depression on rural communities.
- Realism — MUMPS is written in a realistic style, focusing on the everyday lives of its characters and their struggles to survive in a difficult time.
- Historical Fiction — MUMPS is set in the 1930s and explores the effects of the Great Depression on rural communities.
- Literary Fiction — MUMPS is written in a lyrical style and explores themes of poverty, isolation, and the effects of the Great Depression on rural communities.
Tags
American · American poetry · Children's poetry · bumps · children's poetry, american · cried · dick · drops · feeling · john · laughed · lemon