The Village Oracle
A young woman returns to her rural home after years away and must navigate the complexities of small-town life and her own past.
By Joseph C. Lincoln · First published 1904 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Humor · 566 words
First lines
"_I am Sir Oracle, and when I ope my lips let no dog bark! _"
Old Dan'l Hanks he says this town Is jest the best on earth; He says there ain't one, up nor down, That's got one half her worth; He says there ain't no other state That's good as ourn, nor near; And all the folks that's good and great Is settled right 'round here.
What this Textopian page supports
The Village Oracle is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Joseph C. Lincoln
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Humor, Social Commentary, Regional Literature
- Length: 566 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Village Oracle 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 Village Oracle?
- 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?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs rhythmic and structured verse, characteristic of poetry.
- Satire — It critiques societal norms and beliefs through humor and exaggeration.
- Humor — The dialogue and character portrayals are designed to elicit laughter.
- Social Commentary — It reflects on social issues and attitudes prevalent in the community.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · American Literature · Classic Novel · Small Town Life · Community Drama · Social Commentary · Humor · Satire · Realism · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery