Mr. Billings of Louisville by Eugene Field
The story revolves around a wealthy and influential man who becomes infatuated with a young woman from a lower social class. He decides to leave his wife and family for her, but she rejects him due to his age and social status. The novel explores themes of love, class, and social expectations.
By Eugene Field · First published 1892 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Humor · 303 words
First lines
THERE are times in one's life which one cannot forget; / And the time I remember's the evening I met / A haughty young scion of bluegrass renown / Who made my acquaintance while painting the town: / A handshake, a cocktail, a smoker, and then / Mr. Billings of Louisville touched me for ten.
There flowed in his veins the blue blood of the South, / And a cynical smile curled his sensuous mouth; / He quoted from Lanier and Poe by the yard, / But his purse had been hit by the war, and hit hard: / I felt that he honored and flattered me when / Mr. Billings of Louisville touched me for ten.
What this Textopian page supports
Mr. Billings of Louisville is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1892 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: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Humor, Narrative, Social Commentary
- Length: 303 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mr. Billings of Louisville 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
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Satire — The poem critiques social status and the superficiality of wealth through the character of Mr. Billings.
- Humor — The tone and situations presented in the poem contain elements of humor, particularly in the portrayal of Mr. Billings.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story about an encounter with Mr. Billings, providing a narrative structure.
Tags
Humor · Satire · American Literature · 19th Century · Short Stories · Social Commentary · Wit · Irony · Regionalism · Local Color · Kentucky Setting · Middle Class Life