The Hypochondriac by David Rorie
The Hypochondriac is a darkly comic novel about a man who is convinced he is dying of a mysterious illness. John is a middle-aged man who has been living with a mysterious illness for years. He is convinced that he is dying, and his life has become a series of doctor's appointments and tests. He is desperate to find a cure, but no one can seem to help him. John's life is further complicated when he meets a woman who is also suffering from a mysterious illness. The two of them form an unlikely bond as they search for answers. As John's illness progresses, he begins to question his own sanity. He is forced to confront his fears and come to terms with his mortality. In the end, he must decide if he will accept his fate or continue to fight for his life.
By David Rorie · First published 1920 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Drama, Humor · 303 words
First lines
I dinna ken what is the maitter wi' Jeams, He canna get sleepit at nicht for his dreams, An' aye when he waukens he granes and he screams Till he fair pits the shakers on me!
Can ye no mak' up somethin' to gie him a sleep? I'm tellin' ye, doctor, he gars my flesh creep, Till I'm that fu' o' nerves that the verra least cheep Noo juist fair pits the shakers on me!
What this Textopian page supports
The Hypochondriac is listed on Textopian as a short story by David Rorie, 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: David Rorie
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Fiction, Drama, Humor, Romance
- Length: 303 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hypochondriac by David Rorie
- 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 Hypochondriac?
- How does this short story by David Rorie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The book focuses on the psychological effects of hypochondria on the protagonist, exploring the inner workings of their mind.
- Drama — The book follows the protagonist's journey as they struggle with their hypochondria, creating a dramatic narrative arc.
- Humor — The book contains humorous elements, such as the protagonist's attempts to cope with their hypochondria in a lighthearted manner.
- Romance — The book contains romantic elements, as the protagonist's hypochondria affects their relationships with others.
Tags
Dialect poetry · Poetry · Scottish · bogie-roll · bull · canna · chest · creep · dee · dialect poetry, scottish · doctor · easy