Drafted. by Edward William Thomson
The novel explores the experiences of a young Canadian man who is drafted into the British Army during World War I. The protagonist struggles with the harsh realities of war and the loss of innocence as he witnesses the horrors of combat. Through his journey, the novel portrays the devastating effects of war on individuals and society.
By Edward William Thomson · First published 1899 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War Fiction, Drama · 5,116 words
First lines
Harry Wallbridge, awaking with a sense of some alarming sound, listened intently in the darkness, seeing overhead the canvas roof faintly outlined, the darker stretch of its ridge-pole, its two thin slanting rafters, and the gable ends of the winter hut. He could not hear the small, fine drizzle from an atmosphere surcharged with water, nor anything but the drip from canvas to trench, the rustling of hay bunched beneath his head, the regular breathing of his "buddy," Corporal Bader, and the stamping of horses in stables. But when a soldier in a neighboring tent called indistinguishably in the accents of nightmare, Bader's breathing quieted, and in the lull Harry fancied the soaked air weighted faintly with steady picket-firing. A month with the 53d Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Cavalry had not quite disabused the young recruit of his schoolboy belief that the men of the Army of the Potomac must live constantly within sound of the out-posts.
What this Textopian page supports
Drafted. is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edward William Thomson, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edward William Thomson
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, War Fiction, Drama, Adventure, Literary Fiction
- Length: 5,116 words
- Structure: 1 section, 71 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Drafted. by Edward William Thomson
- 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 Drafted.?
- How does this short story by Edward William Thomson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The plot is set in a historical context with events and characters reflecting the time period.
- War Fiction — The themes and narrative revolve around military conflict and its impact on individuals and society.
- Drama — The writing style and plot development focus on intense emotional and relational conflicts.
- Adventure — The storyline includes elements of exploration and action, typical of adventure narratives.
Tags
War · Military · Fiction · Historical · Adventure · Action · Soldier · Battle · Combat · Army · Draft · Recruitment