The Story of Smike and His Teacher*
*THE STORY OF SMIKE AND HIS TEACHER* by Charles Dickens: Smike, a young boy, is sent to a school run by a cruel and abusive headmaster. Despite the harsh conditions, Smike's teacher, Mr. Limbkins, takes an interest in him and teaches him to read and write. However, when the headmaster discovers this, he becomes angry and threatens to expel Mr. Limbkins. In the end, Smike is able to escape the school and find a better life with his teacher's help.
By Charles Dickens · First published 1849 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama · 2 chapters · 10,114 words
First lines
"Education. -- At Mr. Wackford Squeers's Academy, Dotheboys Hall, at the delightful village of Dotheboys, near Greta Bridge in Yorkshire, Youth are boarded, clothed, booked, furnished with pocket-money, provided with all necessaries, instructed in all languages living and dead, mathematics, orthography, geometry, astronomy, trigonometry, the use of the globes, algebra, single stick (if required), writing, arithmetic, fortification, and every other branch of classical literature. Terms, twenty guineas per annum. No extras, no vacations, and diet unparalleled. Mr. Squeers is in town, and attends daily, from one till four, at the Saracen's Head, Snow Hill. N. B. An able assistant wanted. Annual salary L5. A Master of Arts would be preferred."
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of Smike and His Teacher* is listed on Textopian as a novella by Charles Dickens, dated 1849 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Charles Dickens
- Date: 1849 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama
- Length: 10,114 words
- Structure: 2 chapters, 254 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Story of Smike and His Teacher* by Charles Dickens
- 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 The Story of Smike and His Teacher*?
- How does this novella by Charles Dickens fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Felix Oday by Francis Hopkinson Smith
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- Benno And Some Of The Push by Edward Dyson
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in a specific historical period and provides a fictional interpretation of historical characters and events.
- Social Commentary — The book addresses societal issues and inequalities of the time, which was a central theme of Charles Dickens' work.
- Drama — The storyline features intense and dramatic personal conflict.
Tags
friendship · education · coming of age · mentor · adventure · social issues · class disparity · childhood · literary fiction · character development · emotional growth · life lessons
Contents
- HOW NICHOLAS NICKLEBY CAME TO DOTHEBOYS HALL
- HOW SMIKE WENT AWAY FROM DOTHEBOYS HALL