The True Comedian by Ellen Glasgow
The novel revolves around the life of a comedian named Roger Maxwell, who rises to fame through his wit and satire. However, behind the scenes, he struggles with personal demons, including a troubled marriage and a complicated relationship with his daughter. As Roger's career reaches its peak, he begins to confront the emptiness and disillusionment that accompany his success.
By Ellen Glasgow · First published 1923 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Satire · 151 words
First lines
What if the road is rough, the dart / Of mischance levelled at thy breast? / Beyond the shudder and the smart, / Canst thou not see the jest?
What if the arrow in the sling / Was tipped with poison ere it flew? / Since thine the hurt and thine the sting, / Be thine the laughter too.
Canst thou not read the wit that lies / Beneath the bold burlesque of Fate? / Or art thou sick of parodies / Who playest with love and hate?
What! take the stage again and gasp / The comedy of self-control? -- / Nay, better stand aside to grasp / The humour of the whole.
What this Textopian page supports
The True Comedian is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ellen Glasgow, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ellen Glasgow
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Satire, Literary Fiction
- Length: 151 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The True Comedian by Ellen Glasgow
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
- Only To Lie by O. Henry
- The Unconquerable by O. Henry
- Inconsistency by O. Henry
- Just For A Change by O. Henry
- Fame by Ellen Glasgow
- Prompt by O. Henry
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured as a poem with a focus on meter and rhyme.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions and the nature of fate and suffering.
- Satire — The poem uses humor and irony to address serious subjects like misfortune and self-control.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style and thematic depth align with literary fiction, focusing on human experience and introspection.
Tags
American Literature · Satire · Social Commentary · Humor · Comedy · Theatre · Performance Art · Identity Crisis · Self-Discovery · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Family Drama