Many Happy Returns of the Day!
The story revolves around a man who becomes obsessed with the idea of celebrating his birthday on February 29th, which only occurs every four years. He tries to convince others to join him in his celebration, but they are skeptical and uninterested. As he grows older, his obsession only intensifies, leading to humorous and absurd situations.
By Ellis Parker Butler · First published 1905 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Short Story · 6,772 words
First lines
There is one thing every person has. He may not own a dog or an automobile or a wooden leg, but he has a birthday of his own. Even women have them; they had them before they got the vote.
What this Textopian page supports
Many Happy Returns of the Day! is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ellis Parker Butler, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ellis Parker Butler
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Satire, Short Story, Fiction
- Length: 6,772 words
- Structure: 1 section, 72 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Many Happy Returns of the Day! by Ellis Parker Butler
- 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 Many Happy Returns of the Day!?
- How does this short story by Ellis Parker Butler fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Revolt by Ellis Parker Butler
Genres
- Humor — The book primarily uses humor to convey its story and themes.
- Satire — The narrative employs satire to critique societal norms and behaviors.
- Short Story — The work is structured as a short story, focusing on a concise and impactful narrative.
- Fiction — The book is a work of fiction, presenting an imaginative and creative storyline.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Short Stories · American Literature · Early 20th Century · Social Commentary · Marriage · Family Life · Relationships · Comedy · Wit · Irony