The Dazzling Light by Arthur Machen
The story revolves around a young man who becomes infatuated with an older woman and her mysterious past. He discovers that she has been involved in occult practices and is being pursued by supernatural forces. As the narrative unfolds, the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, and the protagonist's perception of time and space becomes distorted.
By Arthur Machen · First published 1893 · Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction · 1,536 words
First lines
The new head-covering is made of heavy steel, which has been specialty treated to increase its resisting power. The walls protecting the skull are particularly thick, and the weight of the helmet renders its use in open warfare out of the question. The rim is large, like that of the headpiece of Mambrino, and the soldier can at will either bring the helmet forward and protect his eyes or wear it so as to protect the base of the skull. Military experts admit that continuance of the present trench warfare may lead to those engaged in it, especially bombing parties and barbed wire cutters, being more heavily armoured than the knights, who fought at Bouvines and at Agincourt. The Times, July 22, 1915
What this Textopian page supports
The Dazzling Light is listed on Textopian as a short story by Arthur Machen, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction, War Literature
- Length: 1,536 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Dazzling Light by Arthur Machen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Dazzling Light?
- How does this short story by Arthur Machen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Monstrance by Arthur Machen
- The Red Fetish by Frank Belknap Long
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- An Inhabitant Of Carcosa by Ambrose Bierce
- The Transition Of Juan Romero by H. P. Lovecraft
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative includes elements of visions and a blending of reality with a fantastical medieval setting.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set against the backdrop of World War I, incorporating historical elements and themes.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is reflective and rich in detail, focusing on character introspection and thematic depth.
- Speculative Fiction — The exploration of alternate realities and the nature of perception aligns with speculative themes.
Tags
Supernatural Fiction · Gothic Horror · Occultism · Mystery · Psychological Thriller · Paranormal Activity · Atmospheric Setting · Sense of Foreboding · Cerebral Puzzles · Unreliable Narrator · Mind Games · Cosmic Horror