McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson LXXXIII · Part 9: Comedy, Milton, Whittier and Shakespeare's taverns

89. Scene from "The Poor Gentleman" (George Colman)

Goal: Your student can read a comic dialogue in character and explain what makes Sir Robert funny.

⏱ About 40 minutes · 6 steps

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You'll need

  • The book, open to this lesson
  • A notebook and pen
  • A dictionary

What's in the book

A comic scene from Colman's play: Sir Robert Bramble argues with his servant Humphrey Dobbins, contradicting everything. Notes explain ergo, negatur and the Tartars.

The lesson, step by step

  1. Words and meanings

    Read the notes printed at the end of the lesson together before reading. The book explains, among others:

    Ergo: a Latin word meaning therefore

    Negatur: a Latin verb meaning it is denied

    Tartars: a branch of the Mongolian race (the note names the Calmucks as one tribe)

    Ask your student to find two other hard words in the lesson, guess their meaning from the sentence, then check a dictionary.

  2. About the author

    The book says the younger George Colman (1762–1836) was the son of a dramatist who bought the Haymarket Theater in London. He took over the theater in 1785 and was distinguished as a playwright and wit. The Poor Gentleman is perhaps his best-known work.

  3. Read aloud

    Take parts. The student reads Sir Robert, the parent reads Humphrey (and the others as they enter). Sir Robert is quick-tempered; Humphrey is slow and stubborn.

    Listen for these lines:

    I'll tell you what, Humphrey Dobbins, there is not a syllable of sense in all you have been saying.

  4. Talk about it

    SayWhat are Sir Robert and Humphrey arguing about? Does either of them win?

    SaySir Robert likes to contradict. Find a place where he argues against something just because it was said.

    SayHow does the scene end?

    SayWhy are arguments between a master and servant a good subject for comedy?

  5. Narration

    Your student explains, in their own words, the argument and how it ends.

  6. Perform it

    Read the scene a second time, faster and with gestures, as if on stage. Swap parts if you like.

Tip

Comedy needs timing. Let your student pause before Humphrey's answers.

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