Company Manners
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after years away and is met with suspicion and hostility by the townspeople due to his changed behavior and mannerisms acquired from city life. He struggles to reconcile his old self with his new persona, leading to tension within himself and with those around him.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Children's Poetry, Humor, Didactic · 53 words
First lines
When Bess gave her Dollies a Tea, said she, -- "It's unpolite, when they's Company, To say you've drinked _two_ cups, you see, -- But say you've drinked _a couple_ of tea. "
What this Textopian page supports
Company Manners is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Poetry, Humor, Didactic, Family
- Length: 53 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Company Manners by James Whitcomb Riley
- 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 Company Manners?
- How does this poem by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Children's Poetry — The work is a poem with a simple, playful theme suitable for children.
- Humor — The poem uses light-hearted humor to convey a lesson in manners.
- Didactic — The poem imparts a lesson on etiquette and polite behavior.
- Family — The setting and context suggest a domestic scene involving family interactions.
Tags
American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · 19th Century · Poetry Collection · Light Verse · Wit · Irony · Observational Comedy · Commentary on Society · Class Satire