The Schoolmaster and the Doctor
A young boy's life is turned upside down when a schoolmaster and a doctor arrive at his home, each claiming to be the boy's father. The two men engage in a series of absurd arguments over who should have custody of the child, with neither able to provide any concrete evidence of their relationship to him.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1869 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Satire, Social Commentary · 3,951 words
First lines
Of course, it was not long after New Jersey began to be settled and cultivated, before there were a great many boys and girls who also needed to be cultivated. And if we are to judge their numbers by the families of Elizabeth, who started for the New World in a hogshead, and of Penelope, who began her life here in a hollow tree, there must have been an early opportunity for the establishment of flourishing schools; that is, so far as numbers of scholars make schools flourishing.
What this Textopian page supports
The Schoolmaster and the Doctor is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1869 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Frank R. Stockton
- Date: 1869 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Satire, Social Commentary, Short Story, Humor
- Length: 3,951 words
- Structure: 1 section, 39 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Schoolmaster and the Doctor by Frank R. Stockton
- 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 The Schoolmaster and the Doctor?
- How does this short story by Frank R. Stockton 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 narrative is set in a historical context, focusing on the early days of New Jersey, its educational and medical developments, and societal norms.
- Satire — The text employs humor and irony, particularly in its portrayal of early educational and medical practices, and societal attitudes.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques and reflects on societal norms, such as the role of women, education, and the medical profession in early New Jersey.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and focuses on specific events and characters, typical of a short story format.
Tags
Fiction · Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Classic Short Story · Whimsy · Absurdity · Comedy of Manners