Humin Natur' on the Han'bul 'nd St. Jo
The poem explores the contrast between nature's beauty and humanity's cruelty. It describes a serene natural scene where birds sing and flowers bloom, but this peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by the presence of a hangman's scaffold, symbolizing human violence and injustice. The poem highlights the stark difference between the natural world's innocence and humanity's capacity for brutality.
By Eugene Field · First published 1893 · Genre: Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary · 2,315 words
First lines
Durin' war times the gorillas hed torn up most uv the cypress ties an' used 'em for kindlin' an' stove wood, an' the result wuz that when the war wuz over there wuz n't anythink left uv the Han'bul 'nd St. Jo but the rollin' stock 'nd the two streaks uv rails from one end uv the road to the other. In the spring uv '67 I hed to go out into Kansas; and takin' the Han'bul 'nd St. Jo at Palmyry Junction, I wuz n't long in findin' out that the Han'bul 'nd St. Jo railroad wuz jist about the wust cast of rollin' prairer I ever struck.
What this Textopian page supports
Humin Natur' on the Han'bul 'nd St. Jo is listed on Textopian as a short story by Eugene Field, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 2,315 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Humin Natur' on the Han'bul 'nd St. Jo by Eugene Field
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Humin Natur' on the Han'bul 'nd St. Jo?
- How does this short story by Eugene Field fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Baked Beans And Culture by Eugene Field
Genres
- Fiction — The narrative is a fictional account centered around characters and events that are not real, focusing on human experiences.
- Humor — The story employs comedic elements, particularly through the interactions between the characters and the absurdity of the situation.
- Social Commentary — The text reflects on societal norms and human behavior, particularly in the context of compassion and responsibility.
- Historical Fiction — Set during a specific historical period, the story incorporates elements of the time, such as the railroad and social dynamics.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Religion · Philosophy · Irony · Wit · Wordplay · Dialect · Regionalism