Cock-A-Doodle-Doo! or the Crowing of the Noble C
The narrative revolves around a noble cockerel named Beneventano who possesses exceptional beauty and strength. He is the prized possession of a wealthy farmer, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is stolen by a group of thieves. The story explores themes of power, freedom, and the human condition through the eyes of this majestic bird.
By Herman Melville · First published 1857 · Genre: Allegory, Satire, Philosophical Fiction · 12,555 words
First lines
In all parts of the world many high-spirited revolts from rascally despotisms had of late been knocked on the head; many dreadful casualties, by locomotive and steamer, had likewise knocked hundreds of high-spirited travelers on the head (I lost a dear friend in one of them); my own private affairs were also full of despotisms, casualties, and knockings on the head, when early one morning in spring, being too full of hypoes to sleep, I sallied out to walk on my hillside pasture.
What this Textopian page supports
Cock-A-Doodle-Doo! or the Crowing of the Noble Cock Beneventano is listed on Textopian as a novella by Herman Melville, dated 1857 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Herman Melville
- Date: 1857 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Allegory, Satire, Philosophical Fiction, Fable, Dark Comedy
- Length: 12,555 words
- Structure: 1 section, 206 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cock-A-Doodle-Doo! or the Crowing of the Noble Cock Beneventano by Herman Melville
- 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 Cock-A-Doodle-Doo! or the Crowing of the Noble Cock Beneventano?
- How does this novella by Herman Melville fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Allegory first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Angel Of The Odd by Edgar Allan Poe
- Slawkenbergiuss Tale by Laurence Sterne
- Fames Penny Trumpet by Lewis Carroll
- The Lion The Ass And The Fox by Leo Tolstoy
- The Big Baboon by Hilaire Belloc
- Pernicious Peaches by Oliver Herford
Genres
- Allegory — The narrative uses symbolic elements to convey deeper moral and philosophical meanings, particularly through the character of the cock and its crowing.
- Satire — The story critiques societal norms and human follies, using humor and irony to highlight the absurdities of life and human behavior.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores existential themes and questions about life, death, and the human condition, often through introspective and reflective passages.
- Fable — The story employs animal characters and fantastical elements to impart moral lessons, akin to traditional fables.
Tags
Fiction · Satire · Social Commentary · Animal Story · Fantasy · Humor · Absurdity · Nonsense Verse · Poetic Prose · Wordplay · Puns · Farce