Alcibiades J. Skinner by Oliver Herford
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.
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- 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)
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- 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
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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