Are you a Bromide? by Gelett Burgess
"Are you a Bromide?" is a book by Gelett Burgess that satirizes the conformity and dullness of American society in the early 20th century. The main character, Mr. Preble, is a boring and unimaginative man who embodies the "bromide" personality type. Throughout the book, Burgess uses humor and irony to critique the stifling conformity of American culture at the time.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1906 · Genre: Satire, Essay, Philosophy · 7,182 words
First lines
The terms "Bromide" and "Sulphite" as applied to psychological rather than chemical analysis have already become, among the _illuminati_, so widely adopted that these denominations now stand in considerable danger of being weakened in significance through a too careless use. The adjective "bromidic" is at present adopted as a general vehicle, a common carrier for the thoughtless damnation of the Philistine. The time has come to formulate, authoritatively, the precise scope of intellect which such distinctions suggest and to define the shorthand of conversation which their use has made practicable. The rapid spread of the theory, traveling from Sulphite to Sulphite, like the spark of a pyrotechnic set-piece, till the thinking world has been over-violently illuminated, has obscured its genesis and diverted attention from the simplicity and force of its fundamental principles.
What this Textopian page supports
Are you a Bromide? is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gelett Burgess, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Essay, Philosophy, Humor, Social Commentary
- Length: 7,182 words
- Structure: 1 section, 120 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Are you a Bromide? by Gelett Burgess
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Are you a Bromide??
- How does this short story by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Satire — The book uses humor and irony to critique societal norms and behaviors, particularly through the concepts of 'Bromides' and 'Sulphites'.
- Essay — The work is structured as a formal essay, presenting arguments and observations about human nature and social interactions.
- Philosophy — It explores philosophical ideas about individuality, conformity, and the nature of thought.
- Humor — The writing style is light-hearted and comedic, aiming to entertain while delivering its critique.
Tags
humor · satire · social commentary · poetry · wit · philosophy · identity · self-reflection · quirky · absurdism · language · cultural critique