The Purchase of the Ass by Tomás de Iriarte
A satire exposes the folly of valuing superficial appearances over intrinsic quality. In the narrative, an ass is elaborately adorned with new trappings, bright ribbons, and decorative gear, creating an aura of splendor that captivates onlookers. A cunning seller, characterized as a Gypsy jockey, stages an extravagant sale by convincing a gullible buyer to pay a paltry price for what appears to be a marvellous creature. The buyer, proud of his bargain, parades the animal through the neighborhood, inciting admiration and prompting inquiry from a skeptical neighbor. Upon inspecting the ass beneath its ostentatious accessories, the true state of the animal is revealed. The adornments hide numerous physical defects: the withers and shoulders bear unsightly swellings and warts; deep gashes and a lingering wound indicate prior abuse. These imperfections stand in stark contrast to the glittering exterior, exposing the inherent deception at play. The work uses the purchase of the ass as an extended metaphor to criticize similar pitfalls in other areas of life, particularly the acquisition of books or other items that, while attractively packaged, are ultimately devoid of substantive merit. In both instances, the initial allure of well-crafted appearances lures buyers into accepting a product that fails to deliver on its promise, highlighting the discrepancy between form and underlying value. The concise narrative condemns both the artifice of deceptive salesmanship and the gullibility of those who are seduced by mere external polish. It invites readers to look beyond superficial intrigues, emphasizing that true worth cannot be assessed solely by elaborate coverings or ornamentation.
By Tomás de Iriarte · First published 1782 · Genre: Satire, Humorous Poetry, Burlesque · 529 words
First lines
Yesterday through our street / An Ass did pass, / In trappings most complete -- / A gorgeous Ass.
Saddle and halter too / Were both bran new; / With tassels yellow / Or red as rose.
What this Textopian page supports
The Purchase of the Ass is listed on Textopian as a fable by Tomás de Iriarte, dated 1782 CE.
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- Work type: Fable
- Author: Tomás de Iriarte
- Date: 1782 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Humorous Poetry, Burlesque, Caricature
- Length: 529 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Purchase of the Ass by Tomás de Iriarte
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Genres
- Satire — The poem mocks pretentious commerce and artistic values through exaggerated descriptions of a flawed purchase.
- Humorous Poetry — The work uses playful verse and absurd scenarios to evoke humor while critiquing societal behavior.
- Burlesque — It employs parody and exaggerated form to ridicule the subject matter, characteristic of burlesque literature.
- Caricature — The text exaggerates features of both the animal and its owner to create a vivid, satirical caricature.
Tags
satire · humor · poetry · didactic · satirical · fable · allegory · social commentary · irony · 18th-century · Spanish literature · bizarre