Ben Apfelgarten by Eugene Field
The poem tells the story of a boy who dies after being hit on the head with a baseball bat during a game. The narrator reflects on the boy's life and death, describing his funeral and the impact of his passing on those who knew him.
By Eugene Field · First published 1896 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Social Commentary · 569 words
First lines
There was a certain gentleman, Ben Apfelgarten called, Who lived way off in Germany a many years ago, And he was very fortunate in being very bald And so was very happy he was so. He warbled all the day Such songs as only they Who are very, very circumspect and very happy may; The people wondered why, As the years went gliding by, They never heard him once complain or even heave a sigh!
What this Textopian page supports
Ben Apfelgarten is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Social Commentary, Narrative, Fantasy
- Length: 569 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ben Apfelgarten by Eugene Field
- 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 Ben Apfelgarten?
- How does this poem by Eugene Field fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Humor — The poem uses satire and comedic elements to explore themes of baldness and societal perceptions.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal norms regarding attractiveness and gender dynamics.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story about the life and experiences of Ben Apfelgarten.
Tags
Children's literature · Poetry · Humor · Whimsy · Fantasy · Imagination · Adventure · Youth · Nostalgia · Playful · Lighthearted · Quirky