Poetry · Chapter
Young Swell and Tramp explained
A conceited young swell encounters a witty tramp who, despite being rebuffed for money, cleverly asks for the swell's calling card to visit his home.
What happens
A conceited young swell encounters a witty tramp who, despite being rebuffed for money, cleverly asks for the swell's calling card to visit his home.
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 Falling action.
- 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
- Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue
The poem illustrates a moral lesson about pride and humility, as the swell's conceit is met with the tramp's clever persistence.
Characters to notice
- Young Benwell
The young swell full of conceit, encountered by the tramp.
- Jack Smith
The witty tramp who tells a sad tale and asks for the swell's card.
Key passages
“One day a youth full of conceit, With witty tramp he chanced to meet, As he was taking walk abroad So leisurely along the road.”
A self-important young man encountered a clever tramp while strolling casually down the road.
Introduces the two characters and the setting of their meeting.
“Said swell, “I never take a load Of money with me when abroad, For to dispense to tramps on street, When I by chance with them do meet.””
The swell claimed he never carries money to give to beggars he meets on the street.
The swell's excuse for not giving money to the tramp.
“Said he, “Give me your card to call, And visit your manorial hall.””
The tramp then asked for the swell's calling card so he could visit his grand home.
The tramp's witty retort, turning the tables on the swell.
