Richard Carr's Baby
In a small town, a group of boys idolizes Richard Carr, the captain of the college football team, viewing him as a paragon of strength and heroism. Among them, Arthur Waller stands out as a devoted admirer, despite his own physical limitations. Arthur, who cannot play sports due to health issues, finds solace in watching Carr from a distance, admiring his prowess and character. During a pivotal football match against Yale, Carr inadvertently collides with Arthur, causing him to fall and injure himself. Concerned, Carr seeks out Arthur afterward to check on his well-being. Arthur reassures Carr that he understands the incident was accidental and expresses admiration for him, further deepening Carr's sense of responsibility and connection to the boy. As Arthur recovers, Carr visits him regularly, forming a bond that transcends their initial roles of hero and admirer. Carr brings joy to Arthur's life, and the two develop a friendship that becomes a source of strength for both. Arthur's health improves, and he becomes a mascot for the football team, cheering them on from the sidelines. The narrative explores themes of admiration, heroism, and the impact of kindness. Carr's initial status as a sports idol evolves into a deeper relationship with Arthur, highlighting the importance of compassion and support. As Arthur prepares to enter Princeton, he carries with him the legacy of Carr's influence, ensuring that the qualities of strength and character are remembered beyond athletic achievements.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1903 · Genre: Sports Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Drama · 2,952 words
First lines
A few years ago, all the boys living in the town of Princeton who were at that age when it is easy to remember the fall, winter, spring, and summer as the foot-ball, coasting, swimming, and base-ball seasons, regarded Richard Carr as embodying their ideal of human greatness.
When they read in the history primers how George Washington became the Father of his Country, they felt sure that with a like opportunity Richard Carr would come to the front and be the stepfather of his country at least.
What this Textopian page supports
Richard Carr's Baby is listed on Textopian as a short story by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Sports Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Drama, Literary Fiction, Young Adult
- Length: 2,952 words
- Structure: 1 section, 38 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Richard Carr's Baby by Richard Harding Davis
- 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 Richard Carr's Baby?
- How does this short story by Richard Harding Davis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Sports Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Sports Fiction — The plot revolves around college football, capturing the excitement and dynamics of the sport.
- Coming-of-Age — The story explores themes of hero-worship, personal growth, and the transition from childhood to adolescence.
- Drama — The narrative includes emotional interactions and conflicts, particularly between Richard Carr and Arthur Waller.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is reflective and character-driven, focusing on the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters.
Tags
American Literature · Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Marriage · Family Life · Domesticity · Middle Class · Suburban Life · Comedy of Manners · Irony