How to Choke a Cat Without Using Butter
The narrative revolves around a man who attempts to kill his cat using various methods, all of which fail due to the cat's resilience and cunning. The story explores themes of futility and the absurdity of human endeavors against nature.
By Irvin S. Cobb · First published 1923 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Social Commentary · 2,947 words
First lines
This writer has always contended that the ability to make a great individual fortune is not necessarily an ability based on superior intelligence -- that in the case of the average multi-millionaire it merely is a sort of sublimated instinct, in a way like the instinct of a rat-terrier for smelling out hidden rats. The ordinary dull-nosed dog goes past a wainscoting and never suspects a thing; then your terrier comes along and he takes one whiff at the bottom of that baseboard and immediately starts pawing for his prey. He knows. It's his nature to know. Yet in other regards he may be rather an uninteresting creature, one without special gifts.
What this Textopian page supports
How to Choke a Cat Without Using Butter is listed on Textopian as an essay by Irvin S. Cobb, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Irvin S. Cobb
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Humor, Social Commentary, Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 2,947 words
- Structure: 1 section, 24 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for How to Choke a Cat Without Using Butter 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering How to Choke a Cat Without Using Butter?
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- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- A Little Talk About Mobs by O. Henry
- The Policeman by Harry Graham
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- Alas The Poor Whiffletit by Irvin S. Cobb
- Pernicious Peaches by Oliver Herford
Genres
- Satire — The narrative employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and the pursuit of wealth.
- Humor — The story uses comedic elements to entertain and highlight the absurdity of social ambitions.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques social class dynamics and the superficiality of societal status.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional narrative exploring the life and experiences of a character.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Fiction · Absurdity · Dark Comedy · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · American Literature · Early 20th Century Writing · Surrealism · Anti-Humor · Playful Nonsense