Little White Souls by Florence Marryat
The narrative unfolds in a remote Indian station, where the 145th Bengal Muftis are stationed. The regiment's social life is rife with gossip and tension, particularly among the officers' wives. Mrs. Dunstan, the colonel's wife, becomes embroiled in this atmosphere, especially after the arrival of the beautiful Mrs. Lawless, whose presence stirs jealousy and suspicion among the women. Mrs. Dunstan, despite her husband's devotion, becomes increasingly insecure about her marriage, fearing that her husband might be captivated by Mrs. Lawless's charms. The story takes a turn when Mrs. Dunstan's daughter, Katie, falls seriously ill. The doctor advises that Katie needs a change of air, preferably in England. However, Mrs. Dunstan, driven by jealousy and unwilling to leave her husband alone with Mrs. Lawless, decides against the trip to England. Instead, she opts for a stay at a remote castle in the Mandalinati hills, despite her husband's reservations about the isolation and climate. Upon arrival at the castle, Mrs. Dunstan encounters resistance from her native servants, who are fearful of the place, citing superstitions and ghostly presences. Despite their warnings, she insists on staying, driven by the hope that the mountain air will heal her daughter. The castle, though beautiful, is eerie and isolated, and strange occurrences begin to unsettle Mrs. Dunstan. Doors open and close inexplicably, and the servants' behavior becomes increasingly strange and fearful. As Mrs. Dunstan grapples with these unsettling events, she is haunted by the fear of losing her child and the suspicion that the castle is indeed haunted. Her isolation and the mysterious happenings exacerbate her anxiety, leading her to question her decision to stay. The narrative explores themes of jealousy, fear, and the supernatural, set against the backdrop of colonial India, where cultural misunderstandings and personal insecurities intertwine.
By Florence Marryat · First published 1871 · Genre: Colonial Fiction, Domestic Drama, Gothic Fiction · 7,567 words
First lines
I am going to tell you a story which is as improbable an one as you have ever heard. I do not expect anybody to believe it; yet it is perfectly true. The ignorant and bigoted will read it to the end perhaps, and then fling it down with the assertion that it is all nonsense, and there is not one word of truth in it. The wiser and more experienced may say it is very wonderful and incredible, but still they know there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in their philosophy. But no one will credit it with a hearty, uncompromising belief. And yet neither ridicule nor incredulity can alter the fact that this is a true history of circumstances that occurred but a few years since, and to persons who are living at the present time.
What this Textopian page supports
Little White Souls is listed on Textopian as a short story by Florence Marryat, dated 1871 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Florence Marryat
- Date: 1871 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Colonial Fiction, Domestic Drama, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Social Satire
- Length: 7,567 words
- Structure: 1 section, 107 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Little White Souls by Florence Marryat
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Colonial Fiction — Set in British India, it critically examines colonial life, cultural conflicts, and the interplay between British and native characters.
- Domestic Drama — Centers on marital strife, jealousy, and interpersonal scandals among the British officers and their families.
- Gothic Fiction — Incorporates eerie, mysterious elements with its isolated castle setting and unexplained phenomena that evoke a gothic atmosphere.
- Historical Fiction — Embedded in the Victorian colonial period, it replicates the customs, attitudes, and social structures of that era.
Tags
Victorian literature · supernatural fiction · Gothic · fantasy · mysticism · psychological · symbolism · allegory · existential · spirituality · moral complexity · social commentary