Poetry · Chapter
A Rabbit Story explained
At a social gathering a quarter century ago, a member from a distance was asked to tell his Rabbit story.
What happens
At a social gathering a quarter century ago, a member from a distance was asked to tell his Rabbit story. The narrator later versified the tale: Mr. Romley told how rabbits of various colors played around his door, but cats caught most of them. One big black rabbit survived by diving underground until the owner shot it for fat. When the police heard the gun, he ran in a rage but calmed after receiving a quarter of the rabbit.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the boy’s childish joy and naive belief that he can see Ameri…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Community and Social Gatherings
The story is set at a social society gathering where members share tales.
- Agriculture and Rural Economy
The rabbit is shot for fat, reflecting rural subsistence practices.
Characters to notice
- Mr. W. D. Grant
Likely the member from a distance who told the Rabbit story; referred to as 'our friend, Mr. Romley' in the verse.
Key passages
“At a social society gathering, a quarter of a century ago, a member from a distance was called on by the gentlemen present to tell his Rabbit story.”
At a social gathering twenty-five years ago, a visiting member was asked to share his rabbit tale.
Sets the scene for the story.
“All but one big black Rabbit, He got into the habit Under ground he would dive— He long time did survive, ’Till owner, wanting fat pot, He this great beast then shot.”
Only one large black rabbit survived by hiding underground until the owner shot it for its fat.
Climax of the rabbit story.
