The New Plaything by Ring Lardner
A father reflects on the arrival of a new sibling for his son, expressing a mix of anticipation and anxiety about how the child will react. The poem captures the father's hopes and fears, revealing his awareness of the complexities of sibling relationships. He wonders if the son will embrace the new brother with joy or reject him out of jealousy or indifference. The father’s musings highlight the innocence of childhood and the unpredictability of familial bonds. The tone oscillates between playful and serious, emphasizing the emotional stakes involved in welcoming a new family member. The father’s internal dialogue serves as a commentary on parental expectations and the challenges of navigating sibling dynamics. The work ultimately explores themes of love, acceptance, and the evolving nature of family relationships.
By Ring Lardner · First published 1922 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Humor · 122 words
First lines
I wonder what your thought will be And what you'll say and do, sir, When you come home again and see What Daddy's got for you, sir.
I wonder if you'll like it, boy, Or turn away disgusted (You've often scorned a nice, new toy For one that's old and busted.)
I wonder if you'll laugh, or cry And run in fright to mother, Or just act bored to death, when I
Show you your brand new brother.
What this Textopian page supports
The New Plaything is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ring Lardner, dated 1922 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: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Humor, Children's Literature
- Length: 122 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The New Plaything by Ring Lardner
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The New Plaything?
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Literary Fiction — The themes explore familial relationships and emotional responses, typical of literary fiction.
- Humor — The playful tone and ironic perspective on childhood and parenthood suggest elements of humor.
- Children's Literature — The subject matter revolves around a child's perspective and familial dynamics, appealing to a younger audience.
Tags
family · brother · parenting · childhood · toys · humor · irony · expectation · disappointment · relationships · narrative · poetry