The Fumbler by Harry Graham (1907)

Name: The Fumbler
Author: Harry Graham

This novel is a satirical comedy that follows the misadventures of a hapless protagonist who consistently finds himself in absurd and humorous situations due to his ineptitude. The story explores themes of social class, morality, and the consequences of one's actions through the character's numerous blunders.

By Harry Graham · First published 1907 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Poetry · 755 words

First lines

Gentle Reader, charge your tumbler With anaemic lemonade! Let us toast our fellow-fumbler, Who was surely born, not made. None of all our friends is "dearer" (Costs us more -- to be jocose -- ); No relation could be nearer, More intensely "close"!

Hear him indistinctly mumbling "Oh, I say, do let me pay! " Watch him in his pocket fumbling, In a dilatory way; Plumbing the unmeasured deeps there, With some muttered vague excuse, For the coinage that he keeps there, But will not produce.

What this Textopian page supports

The Fumbler is listed on Textopian as a short story by Harry Graham, dated 1907 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Harry Graham
Date: 1907 CE
Language: English
Genres: Humor, Satire, Poetry, Social Commentary
Length: 755 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Fumbler by Harry Graham
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 The Fumbler?
How does this short story by Harry Graham fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Humor first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Humor — The poem employs wit and satire to humorously depict the character of a fumbler who avoids paying his share.
Satire — The work critiques social behavior and the character's miserly tendencies through exaggerated scenarios.
Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
Social Commentary — The poem comments on social interactions and the cost of friendships with unreliable individuals.