Alcibiades J. Skinner
The narrative follows Alcibiades J. Skinner, a renowned after-dinner speaker celebrated for his storytelling prowess, which secures him a steady stream of lavish meals. His charm and wit make him a sought-after guest at various social gatherings, where his ability to entertain elevates the dining experience. However, his fame proves to be fleeting, as his storytelling begins to falter, leading to a decline in invitations and a looming threat of starvation. In a desperate bid to revive his career, Skinner embarks on a journey across the ocean, seeking new material for his tales. Unbeknownst to him, this trip will take a disastrous turn when a tropical typhoon sinks the ship he is on. Miraculously, he survives by clinging to a piece of debris and eventually washes ashore. Upon reaching land, he encounters a group of cannibals who invite him to a feast. This unexpected turn of events leads to a lively and joyous banquet, where Skinner's presence as an after-dinner speaker brings unprecedented merriment to the gathering. The story culminates in a celebration of life and the unpredictable nature of fame, highlighting the irony of Skinner's situation as he finds himself at the center of attention once more, albeit in a most unusual setting.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1910 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Satire · 860 words
First lines
Alcibiades J. Skinner Was a famous after-dinner Speaker. Great the way He secured, just by excelling In the art of Story Telling, One good meal a day.
Chestnuts more than often passé He exchanged for Marrons Glacés, Canvasback and Quail. Flat the feast and dull the dinner Lacking that accomplished Spinner Of Postprandial Tale.
What this Textopian page supports
Alcibiades J. Skinner is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oliver Herford, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Oliver Herford
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Satire, Adventure, Fiction
- Length: 860 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Alcibiades J. Skinner by Oliver Herford
- 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
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- How does this short story by Oliver Herford fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Humor — The poem uses wit and satire to comment on social situations and the nature of fame.
- Satire — It critiques societal norms around fame and storytelling, particularly in social settings.
- Adventure — The narrative includes a journey and unexpected events, such as a shipwreck and encounters with cannibals.
Tags
Satire · Humor · Fiction · Novel · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Comedy · Absurdism · Wordplay · Language Play · Nonsense Verse · Poetic Fiction