The Object Lesson by James Whitcomb Riley
A young boy's fascination with a small object leads him to explore the world around him and discover its significance in his life. The story is a reflection on the importance of paying attention to details and finding meaning in everyday experiences.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Short Story · 1,697 words
First lines
Barely a year ago I attended the Friday afternoon exercises of a / country school. My mission there, as I remember, was to refresh my / mind with such material as might be gathered, for a "valedictory," / which, I regret to say, was to be handed down to posterity under / another signature than my own.
What this Textopian page supports
The Object Lesson is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Humor, Short Story, Fiction, Educational
- Length: 1,697 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Object Lesson 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
Similar titles
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- The Flag Paramount by O. Henry
- A New Microbe by O. Henry
- On Certain Manners And Customs by Hilaire Belloc
- I And My Chimney by Herman Melville
- The Quest by Hector Hugh Munro
Genres
- Satire — The text employs humor and irony to critique educational practices and societal norms.
- Humor — The narrative uses comedic elements and absurdity, particularly in the depiction of the educator and the object lesson.
- Short Story — The work is a brief narrative focusing on a single event or theme, typical of short stories.
- Fiction — The narrative is a fictional account, presenting imagined characters and events.
Tags
Fable · Moral · Teaching · Lesson · Storytelling · Symbolism · Allegory · Poetic · Narrative · Didactic · Satire · Social Commentary