A Visit from Young Gloom
A young child visits a family, bringing an atmosphere of discontent and negativity. This child, unfamiliar to the family, exhibits a persistent sour demeanor, expressing disdain for his relatives. His stay lasts nearly two weeks, during which he remains unyieldingly unhappy, rejecting attempts at kindness and affection. The child cries for various reasons, both when he is denied and when he receives what he wants, indicating a deep-seated dissatisfaction. His behavior disrupts the household, as he complains about meal timings and continues to express his displeasure even in sleep. Eventually, the child departs, and the family returns to their previous state of happiness, relieved by the absence of the young visitor's gloom. The narrator expresses a desire to be far away during any future episodes of the child's unhappiness, suggesting a hope to avoid the emotional turmoil that accompanies the child's presence.
By Ring Lardner · First published 1926 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Children's Literature · 220 words
First lines
There's been a young stranger at our house, A baby whom nobody knew; Who hated his brother, his father, his mother, And made them aware of it, too.
He stayed with us nearly a fortnight And carried a grouch all the while, Nor promise nor present could make him look pleasant; He hadn't the power to smile.
He cried when he couldn't have something; He cried just as hard when he could; Kind words by the earful but made him more tearful, And scoldings did just as much good.
He stormed when his meals weren't ready, And when they were ready, he screamed.
What this Textopian page supports
A Visit from Young Gloom is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ring Lardner, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ring Lardner
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Children's Literature, Satire, Narrative
- Length: 220 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Visit from Young Gloom by Ring Lardner
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The poem uses irony and exaggeration to depict the child's unpleasant behavior in a comedic light.
- Children's Literature — The subject matter revolves around a child's behavior, making it relatable to children's experiences.
- Satire — The poem critiques familial dynamics and the challenges of parenting through a humorous lens.
Tags
poetry · humor · family · childhood · gloom · stranger · emotions · relationships · irony · child · behavior · sibling rivalry