An Experiment in Economy
The narrative follows a character who, after losing a significant amount of money at the races, resolves to economize for a month to regain his financial footing. Initially motivated by a sense of self-discipline, he finds the concept of frugality appealing, as it represents a departure from his usual indulgent lifestyle. He begins his experiment by opting for a simpler breakfast at a less expensive restaurant, but his attempts at saving quickly unravel. Despite his intention to cut costs, he ends up spending more on a pipe than he would have at his usual establishment. His vanity leads him to make poor financial decisions, such as taking a hansom cab instead of walking, which he justifies as a health precaution. As he continues his day, he impulsively buys extravagant gifts for friends, further complicating his financial situation. He tries to adhere to his plan by seeking out cheap dining options, but the meals he chooses are unsatisfying and leave him feeling ill. His experience at a low-cost restaurant contrasts sharply with the lavish meals he witnesses at Delmonico's, where friends invite him to join them. Ultimately, the character realizes that his attempts at economizing are misguided and ineffective. He concludes that without a proper understanding of how to manage his finances, the effort is futile. The story highlights the absurdity of his situation, illustrating the tension between his desire to save money and his ingrained habits of luxury and excess. In the end, he abandons his vow of frugality, opting instead to indulge in the company of friends and the pleasures he initially sought to avoid.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1894 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Social Commentary · 1,904 words
First lines
Of course, Van Bibber lost all the money he saved at the races on the Fourth of July. He went to the track the next day, and he saw the whole sum melt away, and in his vexation tried to "get back," with the usual result. He plunged desperately, and when he had reached his rooms and run over his losses, he found he was a financial wreck, and that he, as his sporting friends expressed it, "would have to smoke a pipe" for several years to come, instead of indulging in Regalias. He could not conceive how he had come to make such a fool of himself, and he wondered if he would have enough confidence to spend a dollar on luxuries again.
Similar titles
- The Economist by Hilaire Belloc
- A Poor Rule by O. Henry
- Vox Populi by Hjalmar Soderberg
- On Behalf Of The Management by O. Henry
- Riley Newspaper Correspondent by Mark Twain
- The Gilded Age Volume 6 by Mark Twain
Genres
- Satire — The story critiques social norms and behaviors related to wealth and economy, using humor to highlight the absurdity of the protagonist's attempts to economize.
- Comedy — The narrative employs comedic elements through the protagonist's misadventures and misunderstandings in his quest to save money.
- Social Commentary — The work reflects on societal attitudes towards wealth, spending, and the pressures of social status.
- Fiction — The story is a fictional account of a character's experiences and thoughts, centered around a specific theme.
Tags
Economic Fiction · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Critique of Capitalism · Utopian Society · Experimental Literature · 19th Century American Literature · Realistic Fiction · Social Satire · Class Struggle · Labor Movement
What this Textopian page supports
An Experiment in Economy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Richard Harding Davis
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Comedy, Social Commentary, Fiction, Character Study
- Length: 1,904 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for An Experiment in Economy by Richard Harding Davis
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