Without Visible Means
The novel follows the life of a young man named Jimmie Denton, who is born into a poor family in London's East End. Despite his difficult circumstances, Jimmie is a bright and ambitious individual who dreams of escaping his poverty and making a name for himself. However, his plans are thwarted when he becomes embroiled in a crime scheme that ultimately leads to his downfall. What themes does Morrison explore in WITHOUT VISIBLE MEANS?
By Arthur Morrison · First published 1896 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Suspense · 4,216 words
First lines
All East London idled, or walked in a procession, or waylaid and bashed, or cried in an empty kitchen: for it was the autumn of the Great Strikes. One army of men, having been prepared, was ordered to strike -- and struck. Other smaller armies of men, with no preparation, were ordered to strike to express sympathy -- and struck. Other armies still were ordered to strike because it was the fashion -- and struck. Then many hands were discharged because the strikes in other trades left them no work. Many others came from other parts in regiments to work, but remained to loaf in gangs: taught by the example of earlier regiments, which, the situation being explained (an expression devised to include mobbings and kickings and flingings into docks), had returned whence they came.
What this Textopian page supports
Without Visible Means is listed on Textopian as a short story by Arthur Morrison, dated 1896 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 Morrison
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Crime
- Length: 4,216 words
- Structure: 1 section, 56 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Without Visible Means by Arthur Morrison
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Without Visible Means?
- How does this short story by Arthur Morrison fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Case Of Mr Jacob Mason by Arthur Morrison
- The Case Of The Ward Lane Tabernacle by Arthur Morrison
- The Red Cow Group by Arthur Morrison
- The Affair Of Samuels Diamonds by Arthur Morrison
- The Stolen Charm by Basil Hall Chamberlain
- Three Of A Kind by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Mystery — The book revolves around the solving of unexplained occurrences and events, making Mystery the main genre.
- Detective Fiction — The protagonist's role as a detective and the investigative themes place this book in the Detective Fiction genre.
- Suspense — The narrative's tension and uncertainty align it with the Suspense genre.
- Thriller — The plot's elements of danger, adrenaline, and urgency qualify it as a Thriller.
Tags
mystery · thriller · crime · detective · suspense · noir · realism · literary fiction · British literature · Victorian era · London · urban setting