Reginald's Rubaiyat by Saki (1912)

Name: Reginald's Rubaiyat
Author: Saki

The narrative follows a character named Reginald, who aspires to be a poet while navigating the social expectations and absurdities of his upper-class milieu. He reflects on the nature of poetry and its reception, expressing frustration with the limitations imposed by editors and societal norms. His attempts at writing poetry are met with skepticism and criticism, particularly from a duchess who seeks something refined and culturally appropriate for her album. Reginald's initial poem, a whimsical and surreal piece about a "wounded wombat," is dismissed as unmarketable. He then attempts to craft a quatrain for the duchess, focusing on an "unwholesome egg," but faces objections regarding its tone and political implications. The duchess's insistence on avoiding any controversial themes highlights the constraints of social propriety and the expectations of her social circle. As Reginald struggles to meet the duchess's demands, he experiments with various styles, including a French literary reference, but finds himself increasingly frustrated by her lack of appreciation for his creativity. Their exchanges reveal a comedic tension, as Reginald's irreverent humor clashes with the duchess's desire for decorum. Ultimately, Reginald's rebellious spirit leads him to insert a Tibetan fragment into the duchess's album, subverting her expectations and showcasing his disdain for the constraints of polite society. The story concludes with Reginald's decision to prioritize his own social engagements over the duchess's, emphasizing his independence and the absurdity of the social games he navigates. The work satirizes the pretensions of the upper class, the nature of artistic expression, and the often arbitrary standards of taste and propriety. Through Reginald's character, the narrative explores themes of creativity, societal expectations, and the tension between individuality and conformity.

By Saki · First published 1912 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Fiction · 1,350 words

First lines

The other day (confided Reginald), when I was killing time in the bathroom and making bad resolutions for the New Year, it occurred to me that I would like to be a poet. The chief qualification, I understand, is that you must be born. Well, I hunted up my birth certificate, and found that I was all right on that score, and then I got to work on a Hymn to the New Year, which struck me as having possibilities. It suggested extremely unusual things to absolutely unlikely people, which I believe is the art of first-class catering in any department. Quite the best verse in it went something like this --

"Have you heard the groan of a gravelled grouse, Or the snarl of a snaffled snail

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Reginald's Rubaiyat is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1912 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Saki
Date: 1912 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Humor, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Poetry
Length: 1,350 words
Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Genres

Satire — The work critiques societal norms and the absurdities of high society, particularly through the character of Reginald.
Humor — The writing employs wit and comedic elements, showcasing Reginald's humorous take on poetry and social interactions.
Fiction — The narrative is a fictional account centered around the character Reginald and his experiences.
Literary Fiction — The work focuses on character development and explores themes of creativity and societal expectations.