Buying a Dream
A novel that explores the themes of identity, class, and social status through the eyes of a young woman named Mary. Mary is a member of the working class who dreams of escaping her mundane life by marrying a wealthy man and living in luxury. However, as she navigates the complexities of high society, she realizes that true happiness cannot be bought or acquired through social status alone.
By Basil Hall Chamberlain · First published 1920 · Genre: Folklore, Fantasy, Moral Tale · 674 words
First lines
A certain thickly populated village was governed by six chiefs, the oldest of whom lorded it over the other five. One day he made a feast, brewed some rice-beer, and invited the other five chiefs, and feasted them. When they were departing, he said: "To-morrow each of you must tell me the dream which he shall have dreamt over-night; and if it is a good dream I will buy it."
What this Textopian page supports
Buying a Dream is listed on Textopian as a short story by Basil Hall Chamberlain, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Basil Hall Chamberlain
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Folklore, Fantasy, Moral Tale, Adventure, Mythology
- Length: 674 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Buying a Dream by Basil Hall Chamberlain
- 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 Buying a Dream?
- How does this short story by Basil Hall Chamberlain fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Folklore first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Folklore — The story is rooted in traditional storytelling, featuring elements like chiefs, gods, and moral lessons typical of folklore.
- Fantasy — The presence of gods, magical elements, and a dream that influences reality places the narrative within the fantasy genre.
- Moral Tale — The narrative conveys moral lessons about good and evil, justice, and the consequences of one's actions.
- Adventure — The journey of the junior chief and his interactions with the goddess involve elements of adventure and personal growth.
Tags
Dreams · Materialism · Consumerism · Money · Happiness · Satisfaction · Goals · Pursuit of Happiness · Life Satisfaction · Well-being · Financial Security · Wealth
More by Basil Hall Chamberlain
- The Fisher-boy Urashima (1886)
- The Invention of a New Religion (1930)
- The Rat and the Owl (1899)
- The Loves of the Thunder-Gods (1906)
- Why the Cock Cannot Fly (1902)
- The Origin of the Hare (1902)
- The Reason for there being no Fixed Time for Human Beings to (1928)
- How a Man Got the Better of Two Foxes (1899)
- All works by Basil Hall Chamberlain