The Bench-Legged Fyce
The poem tells the story of a lazy dog who spends his days lounging on a bench, enjoying the sunshine and watching the world go by. The dog is content with his simple life and has no desire to engage in more energetic activities. The poem uses humor and satire to comment on the human tendency to be idle and avoid hard work.
By Eugene Field · First published 1893 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Children's Literature · 680 words
First lines
Speakin' of dorgs, my bench-legged fyce Hed most o' the virtues, an' nary a vice. Some folks called him Sooner, a name that arose From his predisposition to chronic repose; But, rouse his ambition, he couldn't be beat -- Yer bet yer he got thar on all his four feet!
Mos' dorgs hez some forte -- like huntin' an' such, But the sports o' the field didn't bother him much; Wuz just a plain dorg, an' contented to be On peaceable terms with the neighbors an' me; Used to fiddle an' squirm, and grunt "Oh, how nice! " When I tickled the back of that bench-legged fyce!
What this Textopian page supports
The Bench-Legged Fyce is listed on Textopian as a poem 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: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Children's Literature, Animal Fiction, Nostalgia
- Length: 680 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Bench-Legged Fyce by Eugene Field
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The poem uses light-hearted language and amusing descriptions of the dog, creating a humorous tone.
- Children's Literature — The themes of friendship and childhood experiences resonate with a younger audience.
- Animal Fiction — The central character is a dog, and the narrative focuses on its traits and relationship with humans.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Social commentary · American literature · 19th century · Short stories · Fiction · Comedy · Irony · Wit · Sarcasm · Rural life