An Imperial Sneeze by Oliver Herford
The work presents a satirical one-act play featuring a German Emperor who is bedridden with a cold while his troops achieve a significant victory in battle. The Emperor, dressed in athletic underwear, receives a telegram announcing the triumph of his forces, which includes the capture of valuable items. Despite the good news, he laments his illness and the lack of recognition for his role in the victory, feeling sidelined and unappreciated. As he expresses his frustration, a group of nurses enters, urging him to rest due to his worsening condition. The Emperor, however, is defiant, insisting on his importance and the need to be in the trenches. His dramatic declaration is interrupted by an impending sneeze, which the nurses fear could exacerbate his illness. The comedic tension escalates as they attempt to drag him back to bed, while he resists, asserting his duty as a leader. A high officer observes the scene, contemplating the potential strategic advantage of the Emperor's absence from the battlefield. The play concludes with the Emperor, undeterred by his illness, declaring his intention to join the fight, highlighting themes of pride, duty, and the absurdity of leadership in the face of personal affliction. The work employs humor and irony to critique the disconnect between the ruler's self-importance and the realities of war.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1910 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Drama · 1,127 words
First lines
A Sniffle in One Act
CHARACTERS The GERMAN EMPEROR. _Others not to be mentioned in the same cast._
What this Textopian page supports
An Imperial Sneeze 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: Satire, Comedy, Drama, Political Commentary, Farce
- Length: 1,127 words
- Structure: 1 section, 47 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- A Little Talk About Mobs by O. Henry
- A Good Prince by Max Beerbohm
- The Tank by Oliver Herford
- The Demagogue And The Demimonde by Lord Dunsany
- Press Cuttings by George Bernard Shaw
- Strange Adventures Of A Million Dollars by Ingersoll Lockwood
Genres
- Satire — The work critiques authority and military culture through humor and absurdity.
- Comedy — The dialogue and situations are designed to provoke laughter, highlighting the ridiculousness of the Emperor's predicament.
- Drama — The play presents a conflict involving the Emperor's illness and his desire for glory, creating dramatic tension.
- Political Commentary — The narrative reflects on the nature of leadership and the absurdities of war, providing insight into political themes.
Tags
Satire · Humor · Fiction · Fantasy · Adventure · Imperialism · Politics · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Absurdity · Dark Comedy · Critique of Power