Coming Home by Ring Lardner (1923)
The narrative centers around the anticipation and chaos of a child's return home after a three-week absence. The speaker, likely a parent or guardian, expresses a mix of excitement and trepidation about the impending noise and disorder that the child's presence will bring. The home, previously quiet and orderly, is personified as a character that has been patiently waiting for the child's return. The poem captures the contrast between the peace of an empty house and the lively, tumultuous energy that a child brings. The speaker acknowledges the inevitable mess and disruption but ultimately conveys a sense of joy and relief at the reunion. The tone oscillates between nostalgia for the quiet and eagerness for the liveliness that the child represents. As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the emotional significance of the child's return, suggesting that despite the chaos, the home is better with the child in it. The anticipation builds, culminating in a celebration of family and the warmth that comes from being together again. The work encapsulates themes of homecoming, familial bonds, and the bittersweet nature of change.
By Ring Lardner · First published 1923 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Humor · 168 words
First lines
Prepare for noise, you quiet walls!
You floors, get set for heavy falls!
Frail dishes, hide away!
Get ready for some scratches, stairs!
What this Textopian page supports
Coming Home is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ring Lardner, dated 1923 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: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Humor, Drama, Family Saga
- Length: 168 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Coming Home by Ring Lardner
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs rhythmic and structured verse, characteristic of poetry.
- Literary Fiction — The themes of homecoming and domestic life reflect deeper emotional and social issues, typical of literary fiction.
- Humor — The playful tone and light-hearted observations about domesticity suggest elements of humor.
- Drama — The emotional tension surrounding the return home indicates dramatic elements.
Tags
homecoming · family · childhood · nostalgia · domesticity · chaos · anticipation · joy · disorder · household · children · messiness