
The Man who Knows by Harry Graham
This novel is a satirical exploration of the British class system and social hierarchy. It follows the life of a man who has mastered the art of pretending to be someone he's not, effortlessly navigating various social circles with ease. Through his character, the author critiques the superficiality and hypocrisy of upper-class society in early 20th-century England.
By Harry Graham · First published 1927 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Poetry · 936 words
First lines
How few of us contrive to shine In ordinary conversation As brightly as this human mine Of universal information, Or give mankind the benefit Of such encyclopaedic wit.
How few of us can lightly touch On any topic one may mention With so much _savoir-faire_, or such Exasperating condescension; Or take so lively a delight In setting other people right.
What this Textopian page supports
The Man who Knows is listed on Textopian as a short story by Harry Graham, dated 1927 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: 1927 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Humor, Poetry, Social Commentary
- Length: 936 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Man who Knows 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Man who Knows?
- How does this short story by Harry Graham fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
Genres
- Satire — The poem humorously critiques a know-it-all character, using wit and irony to highlight the absurdity of his behavior.
- Humor — The writing style and tone are light-hearted and comedic, aiming to entertain by exaggerating the traits of the titular character.
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetic compositions.
- Social Commentary — The poem reflects on social interactions and the annoyance caused by individuals who claim to know everything, offering insight into human behavior.
Tags
Satire · Humor · Dark Comedy · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Absurdity · Irony · Sarcasm · Wit · Cynicism · Anti-Hero · Psychological Insight
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