Cleanliness by Gelett Burgess (1895)
The poem "Cleanliness" by Gelett Burgess is a humorous take on the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. It emphasizes the need to keep oneself and one's surroundings clean in order to maintain good health and avoid illnesses. The poem also highlights the social benefits of being clean, such as making a good impression on others and feeling confident about oneself. Overall, "Cleanliness" is a lighthearted reminder of the importance of personal hygiene and cleanliness in daily life.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1895 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Educational · 95 words
First lines
The Goops they are spotted on chin and on cheek, You could dig the dirt off with a trowel!
But _you_ wash your face twenty times every week, And you don't do it _all_ with the towel!
The Goops are all dirty, and what do they do?
They like to be dirty, and stay so.
What this Textopian page supports
Cleanliness 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, Poetry, Educational, Humor
- Length: 95 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cleanliness 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 Cleanliness?
- 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
- In Goop Attire by Gelett Burgess
- Impossible by Gelett Burgess
- Tardiness by Gelett Burgess
- Danger by Gelett Burgess
- Exaggeration by Gelett Burgess
- Piano Torture by Gelett Burgess
Genres
- Children's Literature — The work is written in a simple, playful style suitable for children, with a focus on teaching good hygiene habits.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, using rhyme and rhythm to convey its message.
- Educational — The primary purpose is to educate children about cleanliness and personal hygiene.
- Humor — The playful and exaggerated depiction of the Goops adds a humorous element to the narrative.
Tags
humor · satire · poetry · cleanliness · society · culture · victorian · absurdism · quirky · nonsense · illustrated · children's literature