The Courtship of t. Dorgan
The narrative unfolds through a series of letters written by a baseball player, Jack, to his friend Al, detailing his experiences and thoughts during the baseball season. Jack has recently received a contract raise, which he shares with his roommate, Tom Dorgan, a third-string catcher who struggles with his own aspirations. Jack's letters reveal his humorous and candid observations about life, marriage, and the challenges of being a professional athlete. As the season progresses, Jack navigates the complexities of his marriage to Florrie, his interactions with teammates, and his growing concern for Tom's infatuation with a woman named Josie Mulvihill. Jack attempts to help Tom by writing a letter to Josie, encouraging her to consider Tom as a potential partner. However, Jack is also aware of the complications that arise from his own marital commitments and the potential consequences of Tom's feelings. The story captures the camaraderie and rivalries within the baseball world, as Jack deals with the pressures of performance, the antics of his teammates, and the expectations of his family life. He reflects on the absurdities of fame, the challenges of maintaining relationships, and the often humorous situations that arise from his interactions with both teammates and fans. As the season continues, Jack's experiences lead to a series of ups and downs, including a failed investment in a car and a misguided betting scheme involving a boxing match. The narrative culminates in a revelation about Tom and Josie's engagement, which brings a sense of closure to their storyline while leaving Jack to grapple with his own feelings of discontent and the realities of his life as a husband and father. Ultimately, the work explores themes of friendship, ambition, and the often chaotic nature of life in the public eye, all conveyed through Jack's witty and relatable voice. The letters serve as a window into the world of early 20th-century baseball, highlighting the personal and professional struggles faced by those within the sport.
By Ring Lardner · First published 1933 · Genre: Sports Fiction, Comedy, Epistolary · 9,394 words
First lines
Chi, May 22.
Friend Al: Well Al I suppose you seen what I done to the N. Y. bunch yesterday and when it was over Gleason called me to 1 side in the club house and says he thought it was about time I was getting the real jack so if I would bring my old contract over to the pk. today he would give me a new 1 calling for $3,000.00 per annum. So today I took my old contract over to the pk. and Gleason told me to take it up in the office and I took it up there and the old man give me my new 1 and says now go ahead and show me you are worth it. Well I will show him Al and when a man gets fair treatment from a club why you work all the harder for them.
What this Textopian page supports
The Courtship of t. Dorgan is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ring Lardner, dated 1933 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: 1933 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Sports Fiction, Comedy, Epistolary, Romance, Slice of Life
- Length: 9,394 words
- Structure: 1 section, 86 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for The Courtship of t. Dorgan by Ring Lardner
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Sports Fiction — The plot revolves around baseball, featuring a player and his experiences in the sport.
- Comedy — The writing style employs humor and wit, often highlighting the absurdities of life and relationships.
- Epistolary — The narrative is presented in the form of letters, providing a personal and intimate perspective.
- Romance — Themes of love and courtship are central, particularly in the interactions between characters.
Tags
humor · satire · romance · American literature · early 20th century · dialogue · social commentary · sports · baseball · relationships · working class · rural life