Swatty by Ellis Parker Butler (1903)

The story revolves around a young woman named Swatty who lives in a small town in the Midwest. She is known for her beauty and her ability to attract men. However, she is also depicted as being vain, selfish, and manipulative. The novel explores themes of love, relationships, and social class as Swatty navigates her way through various romantic entanglements and alliances.

By Ellis Parker Butler · First published 1903 · Genre: Humor, Children's Literature, Adventure · 14 chapters · 95,492 words

First lines

I guess if teachers always knew how lickings were going to turn out they wouldn't lick us fellows so much. I am thinking about Miss Murphy, the one that taught the room me and Swatty and Bony was in, and about the time she was going to lick Swatty. One of the times. There were plenty of others.

You see, me and Swatty and Bony is chums, and we go together mostly, but this was when we was in Miss Murphy's room. She's a good-looker, but she's a tartar, too, when it comes to licking.

What this Textopian page supports

Swatty is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ellis Parker Butler, dated 1903 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Ellis Parker Butler
• Date: 1903 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Humor, Children's Literature, Adventure, Coming-of-Age
• Length: 95,492 words
• Structure: 14 chapters, 1,549 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Swatty 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 Swatty?
• How does this novel by Ellis Parker Butler fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Humor first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• Goat Feathers by Ellis Parker Butler
• The Cheerful Smugglers by Ellis Parker Butler
• Meddlesome Pussy by Edith Nesbit
• Spanish Donkey by James Mcintyre
• Mr Billingss Pockets by Ellis Parker Butler
• Perkins Of Portland by Ellis Parker Butler

Genres

• Humor — The book primarily focuses on humorous situations and characters.
• Children's Literature — The story is written for a young audience with themes and language suitable for children.
• Adventure — The plot includes various adventurous activities and escapades of the characters.
• Coming-of-Age — The narrative follows the growth and development of young characters.

Tags

Humor · Satire · Social commentary · American literature · Early 20th century · Fiction · Novel · Rural life · Farmers · Small town · Quirky characters · Comedy of manners

Contents

• THE BIG RIVER
• MAMIE'S FATHER
• THE "DIVORCE"
• THE STUMP
• SCRATCH-CAT
• THE CARDINAL'S SIGNET RING
• THE HAUNTED HOUSE
• WASTED EFFORT
• THE MURDERERS
• SLIM FINNEGAN
• "THIEF! THIEF!"
• THE RED AVENGERS
• THE ICE GOES OUT
• HERB BESTIRS

More by Ellis Parker Butler

• The Hard-boiled Egg (1937)
• Philo Gubb's Greatest Case (1937)
• The Pet (1937)
• The Great American Pie Company (1904)
• The Thin Santa Claus (1909)
• That Pup (1907)
• The Confessions Of A Daddy (1907)
• Red Head and Whistle Breeches (1915)
• All works by Ellis Parker Butler