Hesitation by Ring Lardner (1925)
The narrative unfolds through a dialogue that captures the tension between duty and compassion. The speaker, tasked with waking a sleeping child, reflects on the innocence and joy of the child's dreams. The speaker expresses reluctance to interrupt this blissful state, contemplating the potential consequences of their actions. The imagery of the child's dreams, filled with playful scenarios like riding a horse or enjoying treats, highlights the purity of childhood imagination. As the speaker grapples with their orders, they reveal a deeper understanding of the child's happiness and the significance of preserving that moment. The internal conflict emphasizes the weight of responsibility against the desire to protect the child's joy. The speaker's musings suggest a longing for a more lenient approach, imagining how the authority figure would react if they could witness the child's contentment. The work explores themes of innocence, the burdens of responsibility, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. The juxtaposition of duty and the desire to nurture highlights the complexities of adult roles in the lives of children. Ultimately, the narrative invites readers to reflect on the importance of cherishing moments of joy and the impact of adult decisions on the innocent experiences of youth.
By Ring Lardner · First published 1925 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor · 236 words
First lines
I've orders to waken you from your nap, And orders are orders, my little chap.
But I hate to do it, because it seems A shame to break in on your blissful dreams.
I've sat and watched you a long, long while, And not since I came have you ceased to smile.
So it strikes me as wrong to arouse you, boy, From sleep that's so plainly a sleep of joy.
What this Textopian page supports
Hesitation is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ring Lardner, dated 1925 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: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor, Fantasy, Drama
- Length: 236 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Hesitation by Ring Lardner
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- His Memory by Ring Lardner
- His Imagination by Ring Lardner
- Discipline by Ring Lardner
- Guess Again by Ring Lardner
- The Little Land by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Young Night Thought by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The content addresses a child, featuring themes of dreams and innocence, typical of children's literature.
- Humor — The playful tone and light-hearted approach to waking a child suggest elements of humor.
- Fantasy — The mention of dreams and imaginative scenarios indicates a fantasy element.
Tags
poetry · dreams · childhood · innocence · authority · orders · imagination · joy · disruption · narrative · humor · whimsy