The Wicked Servant
The Wicked Servant is a novella written by Charles Kingsley in 1853. The story follows a young man named John who, after being fired from his job as a servant, becomes increasingly wicked and immoral. He eventually falls into a life of crime and debauchery, causing harm to himself and those around him. The novella is a cautionary tale about the dangers of moral decay and the importance of living a virtuous life.
By Charles Kingsley · First published 1853 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian, Drama · 2,819 words
First lines
The kingdom of heaven is likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants. - ST. MATTHEW xviii. 23
THIS parable, which you heard in the Gospel for this day, you all know. And I doubt not that all you who know it, understand it well enough. It is so human and so humane; it is told with such simplicity, and yet with such force and brilliancy that-if one dare praise our Lord's words as we praise the words of men-all must see its meaning at once, though it speaks of a state of society different from anything which we have ever seen, or, thank God, ever shall see.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wicked Servant is listed on Textopian as a speech by Charles Kingsley, dated 1853 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Speech
- Author: Charles Kingsley
- Date: 1853 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian, Drama, Moral Fiction
- Length: 2,819 words
- Structure: 1 section, 24 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wicked Servant by Charles Kingsley
- 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 Wicked Servant?
- How does this speech by Charles Kingsley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Unfaithful Servant by Charles Kingsley
- Ahab And Naboth by Charles Kingsley
- The Unrighteous Mammon by Charles Kingsley
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- The Unjust Steward by Charles Kingsley
- Christians Mistake by Dinah Mulock
Genres
- Historical Fiction — Charles Kingsley often portrays authentic historical settings and events in his narrative. This can be inferred from the author, era and potential themes of the book.
- Christian — The title 'The Wicked Servant' refers to a biblical parable, implying the book may engage with Christian themes and lessons.
- Drama — Kingsley's writing style is known for its dramatic flair; scenes are often rich in dialogue and filled with intense emotional exchanges.
- Moral Fiction — A common trait in Kingsley's works is exploring moral dilemmas and ethical challenges, which is indicative in a title like 'The Wicked Servant'.
Tags
morality · servitude · redemption · betrayal · greed · faith · forgiveness · consequences · human nature · social justice · character study · allegory