The Life-Saver by Joseph C. Lincoln
A young man returns to his hometown after a long absence and becomes involved with a group of people who are trying to save the town's life-saving station from being closed down by a wealthy businessman. The story explores themes of community, loyalty, and the importance of preserving traditional ways of life.
By Joseph C. Lincoln · First published 1915 · Genre: Poetry, Narrative, Adventure · 426 words
First lines
(_Dedicated to the Men in the United States Life-saving Service_.)
When the Lord breathes his wrath above the bosom of the waters, When the rollers are a-poundin' on the shore, When the mariner's a-thinkin' of his wife and sons and daughters, And the little home he'll, maybe, see no more; When the bars are white and yeasty and the shoals are all a-frothin', When the wild no'theaster's cuttin' like a knife; Through the seethin' roar and screech he's patrollin' on the beach, -- The Gov'ment's hired man fer savin' life.
What this Textopian page supports
The Life-Saver is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joseph C. Lincoln, dated 1915 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: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Narrative, Adventure, Drama, Historical
- Length: 426 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Life-Saver 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Life-Saver?
- 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
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and rhyme to convey its themes.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story about the life-saving service and the heroism of its workers.
- Adventure — The themes of danger and rescue in tumultuous sea conditions reflect an adventurous spirit.
- Drama — The emotional weight of the life-saving efforts and the risks involved create a dramatic narrative.
Tags
Classic American Literature · Novel · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Marriage · Family · Friendship · Community · Small Town Life · Island Setting · Fisherman