The Hand-Organ Ball by Joseph C. Lincoln
A young man inherits a hand organ and travels to the city to sell music on the street. He becomes embroiled in a romance with a woman who is being pursued by a wealthy suitor. The story explores themes of love, class differences, and the struggles of making a living as an artist.
By Joseph C. Lincoln · First published 1904 · Genre: Poetry, Social Commentary, Slice of Life · 507 words
First lines
When Twilight her soft robe of shadow spreads down. / And hushed is the roar and the din, / When Evening is cooling the sweltering town, / 'Tis then that the frolics begin; / And up in dim "Finnegan's Court," on the pavement, / Shut in by the loom of the tenement's wall, / 'Neath the swinging arc-light, on a warm summer's night, / They gather to dance at the hand-organ ball.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hand-Organ Ball is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joseph C. Lincoln, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Joseph C. Lincoln
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Social Commentary, Slice of Life, Romance, Historical Fiction
- Length: 507 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hand-Organ Ball 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Social Commentary — The themes explore social class, community, and the lives of working-class individuals.
- Slice of Life — The narrative captures a moment in the everyday lives of ordinary people, focusing on their experiences and interactions.
- Romance — There are elements of affection and social interactions that hint at romantic undertones among the characters.
Tags
Nautical Fiction · Maritime Story · New England Setting · Small Town Life · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Coming of Age · Young Adult · Male Protagonist · Fisherman's Life · Coastal Community