Absent-Mindedness (Ruthless Rhymes)
The collection of poems satirizes the social conventions and hypocrisies of Victorian England through absurd and humorous rhymes. It critiques societal norms, politics, and morality with a focus on the upper class. The tone is mocking and ironic, using humor to highlight the contradictions between appearance and reality.
By Harry Graham · First published 1902 · Genre: Dark Comedy, Satire, Poetry · 134 words
First lines
Absent-minded Edward Brown / Drove his lady into town; / Suddenly the horse fell down! / Mrs. Ned / (Newly wed) / Threw a fit and lay for dead.
Edward, lacking in resource, / Chafed the fetlocks of his horse, / Sitting with unpleasant force / (Just like lead) / On the head / Of the prostrate Mrs. Ned.
She demanded a divorce, / Jealous of the favoured horse. / Edward had it shot, of course.
Years have sped; / She and Ned / Drive a motor now instead.
Similar titles
- Target Practice by Oliver Herford
- Camouflage by Oliver Herford
- To The Publisher by Oliver Herford
- A Plea For Ponto Rhymes For The Times by Harry Graham
- The Fumbler by Harry Graham
- A Suggestion Rhymes For The Times by Harry Graham
Genres
- Dark Comedy — The poem uses humor in a macabre situation, highlighting absurdity in a darkly comedic manner.
- Satire — The work satirizes societal norms and relationships, using wit to critique human behavior.
- Poetry — The structure and rhyme scheme classify it as a poetic work.
- Humor — The narrative employs humorous elements to entertain and amuse the reader.
Tags
Satire · Humor · Poetry · Ruthless · Dark · Absurdity · Social Commentary · Critique · Sarcasm · Irony · Wordplay · Linguistic Playfulness
What this Textopian page supports
Absent-Mindedness (Ruthless Rhymes) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Harry Graham, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Harry Graham
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Dark Comedy, Satire, Poetry, Humor, Tragedy
- Length: 134 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Absent-Mindedness (Ruthless Rhymes) by Harry Graham
- 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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More by Harry Graham
- More Misrepresentative Men (1905)
- What's in a Name? (1927)
- Nobody's Darling! (Rhymes for the Times) (1902)
- Roses all the Way (Rhymes for the Times) (1925)
- The Triumph of Jam (Rhymes for the Times) (1902)
- Egregious Eastbourne (Rhymes for the Times) (1907)
- Sarah Owen (Rhymes for the Times) (1902)
- The Last Horsed 'Bus (Rhymes for the Times) (1925)
- All works by Harry Graham