The Ravelin' Wolf by Irvin S. Cobb
This novel is a satirical commentary on American society during the late 19th century. It follows the story of a young man who becomes embroiled in a series of misadventures after he inherits a large sum of money from a distant relative. The narrative explores themes of class, morality, and the corrupting influence of wealth.
By Irvin S. Cobb · First published 1925 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Historical Fiction · 11,568 words
First lines
When the draft came to our town as it came to all towns it enmeshed Jeff Poindexter, who to look at him might be any age between twenty-one and forty-one. Jeff had a complexion admirably adapted for hiding the wear and tear of carking years and as for those telltale wrinkles which betray care he had none, seeing that care rarely abode with him for longer than twenty-four hours on a stretch. Did worry knock at the front door Jeff had a way of excusing himself out of the back window. But this dread thing they called a draft was a worry which just opened the door and walked right in -- and outside the window stood a jealous Government, all organized to start a rookus if anybody so much as stepped sideways.
What this Textopian page supports
The Ravelin' Wolf is listed on Textopian as a novella by Irvin S. Cobb, dated 1925 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Irvin S. Cobb
- Date: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Satire, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama
- Length: 11,568 words
- Structure: 1 section, 123 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Ravelin' Wolf 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 The Ravelin' Wolf?
- How does this novella 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 is infused with comedic elements, particularly in the portrayal of Jeff Poindexter's attempts to avoid the draft and the humorous depiction of his interactions with other characters.
- Satire — The story satirizes societal norms and institutions, such as the draft board and social organizations, through exaggerated characters and situations.
- Historical Fiction — Set during the time of World War I, the story reflects historical events and societal attitudes of the era, particularly regarding race and the draft.
- Social Commentary — The narrative provides insight into racial dynamics and social structures in the American South, highlighting issues of race, class, and power.
Tags
Western Fiction · Adventure Novel · Historical Fiction · American Literature · Frontier Life · Outlaw Story · Gunfighter Tale · Lawman vs Outlaw · Violence and Revenge · Redemption Arc · Moral Ambiguity · Gritty Realism