The Bowmen by Arthur Machen (1895)
The story revolves around a group of bowmen who are tasked with defending the city from an invading army. The narrative explores themes of patriotism, duty, and the psychological effects of war on individuals. As the battle rages on, the bowmen's skills and morale are put to the test, leading to a climactic confrontation that will determine the fate of the city.
By Arthur Machen · First published 1895 · Genre: Fantasy, War Fiction, Historical Fiction · 1,460 words
First lines
It was during the Retreat of the Eighty Thousand, and the authority of the Censorship is sufficient excuse for not being more explicit. But it was on the most awful day of that awful time, on the day when ruin and disaster came so near that their shadow fell over London far away; and, without any certain news, the hearts of men failed within them and grew faint; as if the agony of the army in the battlefield had entered into their souls.
What this Textopian page supports
The Bowmen is listed on Textopian as a short story by Arthur Machen, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Arthur Machen
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, War Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Adventure
- Length: 1,460 words
- Structure: 1 section, 24 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Bowmen by Arthur Machen
- 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 The Bowmen?
- How does this short story by Arthur Machen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative incorporates supernatural elements, such as the appearance of St. George and the spectral bowmen aiding the soldiers.
- War Fiction — The plot centers around a battle scenario, depicting the experiences and emotions of soldiers during wartime.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set against the backdrop of a specific historical event, reflecting the realities of World War I.
- Horror — The intense and graphic descriptions of battle and death evoke a sense of dread and horror.
Tags
Fantasy · Supernatural Fiction · Horror · Short Story Collection · British Literature · Weird Fiction · Magical Realism · War Fiction · World War I · Historical Fiction · Mystery · Thriller