Downward, Come Downward. (with Apologies to the
The narrative revolves around a group of people who are struggling to come to terms with the decline and eventual collapse of their social hierarchy. As they face the consequences of their own failures, they must confront the reality that their privileged position is no longer tenable. Their attempts to cling to power and status only serve to hasten their downfall, as they become increasingly isolated and disconnected from the world around them. The story explores themes of decay, entropy, and the inevitability of decline, as these characters are forced to confront the abyss that lies at the heart of their own making. Through a series of vignettes and observations, the narrative presents a stark and unflinching portrayal of a society in disintegration, where the old certainties have lost all meaning and the only constant is the downward spiral into chaos.
By Franklin P. Adams · First published 1917 · Genre: Satire, Poetry, Social Commentary · 197 words
First lines
Downward, come downward, O Cost in your flight, Soaring like Paulhan or W. Wright! Prices, come down from the limitless sky, Down to the reach of the Ultimate Guy. Once you were not quite so far from the ground; Once we had lamb chops at 10c. a pound. Give us the days ere the cost took a leap, When things were cheap, mother, when they were cheap.
Backward, flow backward, O Living's Advance, Back from the purlieus of Airy Romance! Back to the days when a porterhouse steak Didn't cost half of what people could make! Back to the days when a regular egg Didn't drive people to borrow and beg! Oh, for the days when the hog and the sheep Were not as diamonds -- when they were cheap.
What this Textopian page supports
Downward, Come Downward. (with Apologies to the Estate of Elizabeth Akers Allen.) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Franklin P. Adams, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Franklin P. Adams
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Poetry, Social Commentary, Parody
- Length: 197 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Downward, Come Downward. (with Apologies to the Estate of Elizabeth Akers Allen.) by Franklin P. Adams
- 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 Downward, Come Downward. (with Apologies to the Estate of Elizabeth Akers Allen.)?
- How does this poem by Franklin P. Adams fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Satire — The poem uses humor and irony to critique the rising cost of living and the economic conditions of the time.
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its message.
- Social Commentary — The poem addresses societal issues related to economic hardship and the impact of inflation on everyday life.
- Parody — The poem is a parody of Elizabeth Akers Allen's work, mimicking its style while altering the content to address contemporary issues.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Dark Humor · American Literature · 20th Century Fiction · Novel · Fictionalized History · Historical Satire · Patriotism · National Identity · Critique of Society · Politics and Literature