The False Step by E.F. Benson
The False Step by E.F. Benson is a novel that was published in 1920. It tells the story of a young woman named Mary who falls in love with a man named John. However, she soon discovers that he has been unfaithful to her and leaves him. She then meets another man named Robert, whom she also falls in love with. But when she discovers that he is married, she decides to leave him as well. In the end, Mary realizes that she needs to learn from her mistakes and move on with her life.
By E.F. Benson · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Suspense · 4,220 words
First lines
Mrs. Arthur Bolney Ross, when, three years ago, she set sail, or, rather, set screw, for England, had no very clear idea of the campaign she intended to wage there, though a firm determination to win it, and had mentally arrived at no general plan beyond those preliminary manœuvres which our charming American invaders usually adopt when they first effect a landing on the primitive pavements of Piccadilly. She had, in fact, taken half a dozen rooms at the Ritz Hotel and a box on the grand tier of the Covent Garden Opera House. But she had also, for the six months preceding her expedition, secretly received daily lessons on the pronunciation and idioms of that particular (and, as she thought, peculiar) dialect of the English language which was in vogue among the section of the English-speaking race with whom she intended to have dealings.
What this Textopian page supports
The False Step is listed on Textopian as a short story by E.F. Benson, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: E.F. Benson
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Thriller, Drama
- Length: 4,220 words
- Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The False Step by E.F. Benson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The False Step?
- How does this short story by E.F. Benson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Mystery — The primary overtone of the story is investigative, involving a mysterious crime that needs solving.
- Crime — Elements of illicit activities and law enforcement are significant to the story's progression.
- Suspense — The plot contains many scenes that instill a feeling of tension and excitement for the reader.
- Thriller — The storyline incorporates heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation and anxiety.
Tags
drama · social commentary · class distinction · romance · betrayal · moral conflict · character study · British literature · early 20th century · psychological insight · family dynamics · societal expectations