At Table by Gelett Burgess (1895)
The poem "At Table" by Gelett Burgess describes a scene of people eating at a table and the various sounds they make while doing so. The speaker observes that each person has their own unique way of eating, from the quiet chewer to the loud slurper. Despite these differences, everyone is united in their enjoyment of food.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1895 · Genre: Children's Literature, Humor, Poetry · 73 words
First lines
Why is it Goops must always wish To touch each apple on the dish?
Why do they never neatly fold Their napkins until they are told?
Why do they play with food, and bite Such awful mouthfuls? Is it right?
Why do they tilt back in their chairs?
What this Textopian page supports
At Table is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gelett Burgess, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Humor, Poetry, Educational
- Length: 73 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At Table by Gelett Burgess
- 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 At Table?
- How does this short story by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Table Manners Ii by Gelett Burgess
- Their Laureate To An Academy Class Dinner Club by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Dining Out by Gelett Burgess
- Hospitality by Gelett Burgess
- Table Manners I by Gelett Burgess
- How To Eat Soup by Gelett Burgess
Genres
- Children's Literature — The content is written in a playful, rhyming style typical of children's literature, focusing on behavior and manners.
- Humor — The work uses humor to address the topic of etiquette, making light of children's misbehavior.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse, employing rhyme and rhythm characteristic of poetry.
- Educational — The themes revolve around teaching children proper table manners and etiquette.
Tags
dining · food · social · humor · culture · table manners · etiquette · conversation · gourmet · literature · essay · American