The Best Spare Room
A young woman inherits a large house from a distant relative and decides to rent out the spare rooms to make ends meet. She faces various challenges as she navigates her new role as a landlady, including dealing with eccentric tenants and trying to maintain order in the household.
By Joseph C. Lincoln · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Nostalgia · 494 words
First lines
I remember, when a youngster, all the happy hours I spent When to visit Uncle Hiram in the country oft I went; And the pleasant recollection still in memory has a charm Of my boyish romps and rambles round the dear old-fashioned farm. But at night all joyous fancies from my youthful bosom crept, For I knew they'd surely put me where the "comp'ny" always slept, And my spirit sank within me, as upon it fell the gloom And the vast and lonely grandeur of the best spare room.
What this Textopian page supports
The Best Spare Room is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joseph C. Lincoln, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Joseph C. Lincoln
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Nostalgia, Gothic, Family
- Length: 494 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Best Spare Room by Joseph C. Lincoln
- 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 The Best Spare Room?
- How does this short story by Joseph C. Lincoln fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Cuckoo Clock by Joseph C. Lincoln
- Toddlekins by O. Henry
- Life In A Country Manse by J. M. Barrie
- Sisters Best Feller by Joseph C. Lincoln
- Between Rounds by O. Henry
- Wasted Energy by Joseph C. Lincoln
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The narrative employs a humorous tone, particularly in the depiction of the spare room and the protagonist's experiences.
- Nostalgia — The themes revolve around childhood memories and reflections on the past, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
- Gothic — Elements of gloom, eerie imagery, and a sense of foreboding contribute to a gothic atmosphere.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Domestic Life · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Small Town · New England Setting · Quirky Characters · Wit · Sarcasm · Irony