Tales: The Steam Excursion
The Steam Excursion by Charles Dickens is a short story that revolves around the theme of technology and its impact on society. The story takes place in the late 19th century, during the height of the Industrial Revolution, when steam engines were becoming increasingly popular as a means of transportation. The narrative follows a group of passengers who embark on a steam excursion to a nearby town, where they experience the convenience and luxury of traveling by steam train. However, as the journey progresses, the passengers begin to notice strange occurrences happening around them, such as objects moving on their own and eerie noises in the night. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the steam engine is having an unintended effect on the passengers, causing them to experience vivid hallucinations and delusions. The cause of these strange occurrences is eventually revealed to be a side effect of the steam engine's powerful steam, which is seeping into the train's compartments and affecting the passengers' minds. The Steam Excursion raises questions about the impact of technology on society, particularly in regards to the unintended consequences of innovation. It also explores the theme of the unknown and the unexplained, as the passengers are unable to fully comprehend the cause of their strange experiences. Overall, the story is a thought-provoking examination of the relationship between technology and human psychology.
By Charles Dickens · First published 1872 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Social Commentary · 9,827 words
First lines
Mr. Percy Noakes was a law student, inhabiting a set of chambers on the fourth floor, in one of those houses in Gray's-inn-square which command an extensive view of the gardens, and their usual adjuncts-flaunting nursery-maids, and town-made children, with parenthetical legs. Mr. Percy Noakes was what is generally termed-‘a devilish good fellow. ' He had a large circle of acquaintance, and seldom dined at his own expense. He used to talk politics to papas, flatter the vanity of mammas, do the amiable to their daughters, make pleasure engagements with their sons, and romp with the younger branches. Like those paragons of perfection, advertising footmen out of place, he was always ‘willing to make himself generally useful.'
What this Textopian page supports
Tales: The Steam Excursion is listed on Textopian as a short story by Charles Dickens, dated 1872 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Charles Dickens
- Date: 1872 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Social Commentary, Drama
- Length: 9,827 words
- Structure: 1 section, 181 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Tales: The Steam Excursion by Charles Dickens
- 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 Tales: The Steam Excursion?
- How does this short story by Charles Dickens fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in a historical period, namely the era of steam locomotion. The behaviours, interactions and events are according to the time setting.
- Adventure — The premise of taking a steam excursion suggests that the characters in the book may embark on a journey or adventure.
- Social Commentary — Dickens' works are often reflective of societal issues and norms of his time. This may also apply in this novel.
- Drama — Charles Dickens' novels usually contain intensive emotional and dramatic human experiences that are likely to be present in this book.
Tags
steam · excursion · adventure · travel · Victorian · narrative · fiction · historical · journey · characters · society · transportation