Doc Shipman's Fee
"Doc" Shipman's Fee is a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith that tells the story of a young doctor who moves to a small town in the American South and becomes embroiled in the lives of its residents. The book explores themes of love, loss, and redemption as the doctor navigates his new life and relationships with the people around him.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1895 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Drama · 5,560 words
First lines
It was in the Doctor's own office that he told me this story. He has told me a dozen more, all pulled from the rag-bag of his experience, like strands of worsted from an old-fashioned reticule. Some were bright-colored, some were gray and dull -- some black; most of them, in fact, sombre in tone, for the Doctor has spent much of his life climbing up the rickety stairs of gloomy tenements. Now and then there comes out a thread of gold which he weaves into the mesh of his talk -- some gleam of pathos or heroism or unselfishness, lightening the whole fabric. This kind of story he loves best to tell.
What this Textopian page supports
Doc Shipman's Fee is listed on Textopian as a novella by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Nautical Fiction
- Length: 5,560 words
- Structure: 1 section, 114 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Doc Shipman's Fee by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- 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 Doc Shipman's Fee?
- How does this novella by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The plot is set in a historical context with period-specific details.
- Adventure — The narrative involves significant elements of exploration and action.
- Drama — The story focuses on intense character development and emotional themes.
- Romance — There are romantic subplots that influence the main storyline.
Tags
doctor · fee · medicine · humor · short stories · 19th century · American literature · character study · social commentary · rural life · human relationships · moral dilemmas