The Mass for the Dead
This is a passage from a novel, likely written in the late 19th or early 20th century. The story revolves around the narrator, Jasper, and his wife Kate, who was previously engaged to a man named Benoliel. The narrative jumps back and forth between the present and the past, revealing the complex relationships and motivations of the characters. The passage begins with Jasper describing the strained atmosphere in their home, where he and Kate are struggling to come to terms with her father's financial troubles. Jasper is desperate to find a way to help his wife and her father, but Kate is resolute that she will not marry Benoliel, even though it would solve their financial problems. The story takes a dramatic turn when Jasper and Kate visit a Catholic church in Torquay, where they hear the same music that each of them had heard on the eve of their wedding. They discover that the music is being played at a funeral service for a foreign gentleman named Benoliel, who was killed in a railway accident. The revelation has a profound impact on Kate, who is suddenly freed from her obligation to marry Benoliel and can now fully commit to Jasper. The passage ends with Jasper reflecting on the strange coincidence of the music and the fate that brought them together. Throughout the passage, the author explores themes of love, loyalty, honor, and the complexities of human relationships. The writing style is lyrical and introspective, with a focus on the emotional lives of the characters.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1904 · Genre: Horror, Gothic, Mystery · 4,741 words
First lines
I was awake -- widely, cruelly awake. I had been awake all night; what sleep could there be for me when the woman I loved was to be married next morning -- married, and not to me?
I went to my room early; the family party in the drawing-room maddened me. Grouped about the round table with the stamped plush cover, each was busy with work, or book, or newspaper, but not too busy to stab my heart through and through with their talk of the wedding.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mass for the Dead is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edith Nesbit, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic, Mystery, Supernatural
- Length: 4,741 words
- Structure: 1 section, 105 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mass for the Dead by Edith Nesbit
- 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 Mass for the Dead?
- How does this novel by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- From The Dead by Edith Nesbit
- Doutre Mort by Harriet Prescott Spofford
- Fear by Edith Nesbit
- Haunted by Edith Nesbit
- A Dirge In Gray by Edith Nesbit
- Bridal Ballad by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Horror — The narrative revolves around supernatural elements and evokes feelings of fear and dread.
- Gothic — The story features elements of death, decay, and the grotesque, typical of the Gothic genre.
- Mystery — The plot involves the unraveling of unknown elements and secrets.
- Supernatural — The narrative includes elements beyond the realm of natural laws.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Mystery · Supernatural · Fantasy · Horror · Death · Afterlife · Religion · Catholicism · Rituals · Occult · Paranormal