A Plea for Old Cap Collier
The story revolves around a retired sea captain who has been wrongfully accused of murder and must clear his name with the help of a young lawyer. The narrative explores themes of justice, redemption, and the complexities of human nature.
By Irvin S. Cobb · First published 1915 · Genre: Humor, Essay, Autobiographical · 10,778 words
First lines
For a good many years now I have been carrying this idea round with me. It was more or less of a loose and unformed idea, and it wouldn't jell. What brought it round to the solidification point was this: Here the other week, being half sick, I was laid up over Sunday in a small hotel in a small seacoast town. I had read all the newspapers and all the magazines I could get hold of. The local bookstore, of course, was closed. They won't let the oysters stay open on Sunday in that town. The only literature my fellow guests seemed interested in was mailorder tabs and price currents.
What this Textopian page supports
A Plea for Old Cap Collier is listed on Textopian as a short story by Irvin S. Cobb, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Irvin S. Cobb
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Essay, Autobiographical, Social Commentary, Literary Criticism
- Length: 10,778 words
- Structure: 1 section, 96 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Plea for Old Cap Collier by Irvin S. Cobb
- 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 A Plea for Old Cap Collier?
- How does this short story by Irvin S. Cobb fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Humor — The narrative employs a humorous tone, using wit and satire to critique societal norms and literary conventions.
- Essay — The work is structured as a reflective essay, presenting the author's personal experiences and opinions on literature and childhood.
- Autobiographical — The text includes autobiographical elements, recounting the author's childhood experiences and personal reflections.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal attitudes towards literature and childhood, offering insights into cultural and educational practices.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · American Literature · Short Story Collection · Nostalgia · Regionalism · Kentucky Setting · Rural Life · Folklore · Mythology · Historical Fiction