Poor Mother! by Gelett Burgess
Poor Mother! is a humorous poem written by Gelett Burgess that tells the story of a mother who has to deal with her children's mischievous behavior. The poem highlights the challenges and frustrations faced by mothers in their daily lives, while also celebrating their love and dedication towards their children.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1896 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Family · 161 words
First lines
Oh! Isn't it shocking!
Just look at your stocking!
Just look at your brand new boots!
Your waist is all torn And your trousers are worn -- Just look at the holes in your suits!
What this Textopian page supports
Poor Mother! is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gelett Burgess, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Family, Moral Instruction
- Length: 161 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Poor Mother! 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 Poor Mother!?
- 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?
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The playful tone and focus on a child's activities and parental care are typical of children's literature.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse with rhyming lines, characteristic of poetry.
- Family — The themes revolve around family dynamics, particularly the roles and efforts of parents.
- Moral Instruction — The narrative imparts a moral lesson about appreciating parental efforts and responsibilities.
Tags
motherhood · family · parenting · humor · satire · social commentary · 19th century · American literature · women's roles · domestic life · child-rearing · emotional struggles