The Hobgoblin by Oliver Herford

Name: The Hobgoblin
Author: Oliver Herford

A mischievous entity known as a Hobgoblin haunts the paths of contemporary writers, instilling fear and anxiety in their creative pursuits. This Hobgoblin, personified as the past tense of the verb "Say," is named SAID. Accompanying him are his relatives, the entire SAID family, except for the elderly Gran'ma QUOTH, who reminisces about her glory days as a once-popular verb. While she remains at home, her family delights in scaring young writers, finding humor in their frantic attempts to escape. The narrative explores the transformation of the SAID family from respected members of society to professional Hobgoblins, revealing their newfound joy in creating comedic situations for writers. The text presents various humorous exchanges and scenarios, showcasing the absurdity of the writers' reactions to the Hobgoblin's antics. The work includes playful examples of dialogue that highlight the writers' struggles and the Hobgoblin's influence, illustrating the absurdity of their fears. The Hobgoblin's presence serves as a metaphor for the pressures and challenges faced by writers, emphasizing the often ridiculous nature of their creative processes. Through clever wordplay and whimsical scenarios, the narrative critiques the literary world, poking fun at the conventions and expectations that writers grapple with. The Hobgoblin embodies the insecurities and self-doubt that can plague creative individuals, while also providing a humorous lens through which to view their experiences. Ultimately, the work is a lighthearted commentary on the writing profession, blending humor with a reflection on the nature of creativity and the obstacles that writers encounter. The Hobgoblin's antics serve as a reminder of the absurdity inherent in the pursuit of literary success, encouraging readers to embrace the humor in their own struggles.

By Oliver Herford · First published 1906 · Genre: Humor, Fantasy, Satire · 775 words

First lines

There is a Hobgoblin that stalks in the path of the athletic young writers of the day and frightens them almost out of their wits.

The Hobgoblin is the third person singular, past tense, of the verb "Say," and his name is SAID.

What this Textopian page supports

The Hobgoblin is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oliver Herford, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
Language: English
Genres: Humor, Fantasy, Satire, Children's Literature, Poetry
Length: 775 words
Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Hobgoblin by Oliver Herford
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 Hobgoblin?
How does this short story by Oliver Herford fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Humor first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Humor — The book employs comedic elements through the antics of the Hobgoblin and the absurdity of the situations involving the SAID family.
Fantasy — The presence of a Hobgoblin and the anthropomorphism of verbs create a fantastical setting that diverges from reality.
Satire — The narrative critiques the literary world and the behaviors of writers, using humor to highlight societal norms.
Children's Literature — The playful language and whimsical characters appeal to a younger audience, making it suitable for children's reading.