A Recitation Under Difficulties
The novel revolves around the struggles of a young woman who faces various challenges in her life, including poverty, lack of education, and an unhappy marriage. Despite these difficulties, she finds solace in her relationships with others and ultimately discovers her own strength and independence.
By Thomas Anstey Guthrie · First published 1947 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Drama · 1,863 words
First lines
SCENE. -- _An Evening Party_; MISS FRESIA BLUDKINSON, _a talented young Professional Reciter, has been engaged to entertain the company, and is about to deliver the favourite piece entitled_, "_The Lover of Lobelia Bangs, a Cowboy Idyl_. " _There is the usual crush, and the guests outside the drawing-room, who can neither hear nor see what is going on, console themselves by conversing in distinctly audible tones._ _Jammed in a doorway, between the persons who are trying to get in, and the people who would be only too glad to get out, is an_ UNSOPHISTICATED GUEST _who doesn't know a soul, and is consequently reduced to listening to the Recitation_. _This is what he hears_: --
What this Textopian page supports
A Recitation Under Difficulties is listed on Textopian as a novella by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, dated 1947 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Date: 1947 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Drama, Poetry, Performance Art
- Length: 1,863 words
- Structure: 1 section, 51 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Recitation Under Difficulties by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Recitation Under Difficulties?
- How does this novella by Thomas Anstey Guthrie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- My Madonna by Robert W. Service
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Genres
- Comedy — The work employs humor through the absurdity of the situation and the contrast between the reciter and the society chatter.
- Satire — It critiques social norms and behaviors, particularly the superficiality of high society.
- Drama — The piece features dramatic elements, including tension and emotional stakes during the recitation.
- Poetry — The recitation itself is structured in a poetic format, with rhythm and rhyme.
Tags
Autobiography · War · Memoir · Historical · Non-Fiction · Biographical · Military · Canadian · Literary · Humorous · Satirical · Wartime