Showin' Off by Stephen Crane (1899)
The narrative follows Jimmie Trescott, a young boy in Whilomville, who becomes enamored with a new velocipede, the largest in town. His obsession is tempered by parental restrictions, leading to a prolonged affection for the machine. Jimmie's infatuation with a girl in a red hood, Abbie, drives him to take a longer route home from school, where he engages in boyish antics to impress her. Despite societal norms discouraging boys from interacting with girls, Jimmie and Abbie exchange glances, fueling his romantic aspirations. His newfound dedication to school is attributed to his feelings for her. As he follows Abbie home, he engages in playful competitions with his retainer, showcasing his strength and bravado. Upon reaching Oakland Park, Jimmie encounters Horace Glenn, another boy with a velocipede. Jimmie's bravado is challenged as he boasts about his own machine, claiming it is superior. The rivalry escalates as Jimmie attempts to assert his dominance through exaggerated claims of his abilities on the velocipede. Horace's display of riding skills creates tension, and Jimmie responds with increasingly outrageous boasts. The other children, initially captivated by Jimmie's bravado, begin to turn against him as Horace gains confidence. Jimmie's attempts to maintain his status as the hero of the moment falter as he struggles to prove his claims. The climax occurs when Horace, pressured by the crowd, attempts to ride down a steep bank. His failure results in humiliation, and Jimmie, along with his retainer, flees the scene, leaving Horace to deal with the consequences of his bravado. The story captures the themes of childhood rivalry, the quest for validation, and the often absurd nature of youthful bravado.
By Stephen Crane · First published 1899 · Genre: Coming-of-Age, Realism, Literary Fiction · 3,269 words
First lines
Jimmie Trescott's new velocipede had the largest front wheel of any velocipede in Whilomville. When it first arrived from New York he wished to sacrifice school, food, and sleep to it. Evidently he wished to become a sort of a perpetual velocipede-rider. But the powers of the family laid a number of judicious embargoes upon him, and he was prevented from becoming a fanatic. Of course this caused him to retain a fondness for the three-wheeled thing much longer than if he had been allowed to debauch himself for a span of days. But in the end it was an immaterial machine to him. For long periods he left it idle in the stable.
What this Textopian page supports
Showin' Off is listed on Textopian as a short story by Stephen Crane, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Stephen Crane
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Coming-of-Age, Realism, Literary Fiction, Children's Literature, Humor
- Length: 3,269 words
- Structure: 1 section, 73 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Showin' Off by Stephen Crane
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Pomps And Vanities by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Observers by Gilbert Frankau
- The Prodigal Parents by Sinclair Lewis
- The Londoners by Robert Hichens
- Moral Swindlers by George Eliot
- The Story Of A Panic by E. M. Forster
Genres
- Coming-of-Age — The story centers on Jimmie's experiences and emotional growth as he navigates childhood, friendship, and early romantic feelings.
- Realism — The narrative depicts everyday life and the social dynamics of children in a realistic manner, focusing on their interactions and societal expectations.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is characterized by its attention to detail and exploration of complex themes, typical of literary fiction.
- Children's Literature — The story is aimed at a younger audience, featuring child protagonists and themes relevant to childhood experiences.
Tags
pride · arrogance · self-promotion · social status · competition · vanity · human behavior · critique · society · ambition · identity · perception