Those Times and These
The novel explores the contrast between the old South and the new industrialized America through the eyes of a young man who returns to his hometown after serving in the Civil War. He finds that the town has changed dramatically, with many of its traditional values and ways of life being eroded by modernization.
By Irvin S. Cobb · First published 1912 · Genre: Humor, Memoir, Historical · 10 chapters · 122,200 words
First lines
TO me and to those of my generation, Judge Priest was always Judge Priest. So he was also to most of the people of our town and our county and our judicial district. A few men of his own age -- mainly men who had served with him in the Big War -- called him Billy, right to his face, and yet a few others, men of greater age than these, spoke of him and to him as William, giving to the name that benignant and most paternal air which an octogenarian may employ in referring to one who is ten or fifteen years his junior.
What this Textopian page supports
Those Times and These is listed on Textopian as a novel by Irvin S. Cobb, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Irvin S. Cobb
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Memoir, Historical, Social Commentary
- Length: 122,200 words
- Structure: 10 chapters, 1,387 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Those Times and These 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 Those Times and These?
- How does this novel 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 book primarily uses wit and satire to explore its themes.
- Memoir — It reflects on personal experiences and historical events from the author's perspective.
- Historical — The narrative includes references to historical events and contexts.
- Social Commentary — The book critiques and comments on societal norms and behaviors.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Memoir · Autobiographical · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Regionalism · Southern Gothic · Coming of Age · Nostalgia
Contents
- Ex-Fightin' Billy
- And there was Light
- Mr. Felsburg Gets Even
- The Garb of Men
- The Cure for Lonesomeness
- The Family Tree
- Hark! from the Tombs
- Cinnamon Seed and Sandy Bottom
- A Kiss for Kindness
- The Start of a Dream