What Might have been Expected
What Might have been Expected is a short story by Frank R. Stockton about a man who discovers a mysterious box that grants him the ability to see into the future. The story follows his journey as he tries to use this power for personal gain, only to find himself in increasingly dangerous situations. In the end, he realizes the dangers of meddling with fate and learns an important lesson about accepting what life has to offer.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1895 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 33 chapters · 60,772 words
First lines
On a wooden bench under a great catalpa-tree, in the front yard of a comfortable country-house in Virginia, sat Harry and Kate Loudon worrying their minds. It was all about old Aunt Matilda.
What this Textopian page supports
What Might have been Expected is listed on Textopian as a novel by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Frank R. Stockton
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Family, Coming-of-Age
- Length: 60,772 words
- Structure: 33 chapters, 1,445 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for What Might have been Expected by Frank R. Stockton
- 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 What Might have been Expected?
- How does this novel by Frank R. Stockton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Parson Of Jackmans Gulch by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is primarily written for a young audience with themes and language suitable for children.
- Adventure — The plot involves various adventures and challenges faced by the characters.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical context, reflecting the time period in which it was written.
- Family — The narrative focuses on family relationships and dynamics.
Tags
fiction · short stories · humor · satire · narrative · American literature · 19th century · social commentary · character study · irony · plot twist · dialogue
Contents
- Harry Loudon Makes up his Mind
- The Adoption
- Commencing Business
- Kate, very Naturally, is Anxious
- The Turkey-Hunter
- Tony Strikes out
- Aunt Matilda's Christmas
- A Lively Team
- Business in Earnest
- A Meeting on the Road
- Rob
- Tony on the War-Path
- Cousin Maria
- Harry's Grand Scheme
- The Council
- Company Business
- Principally Concerning Kate
- The Arrival
- Constructing the Line
- An Important Meeting of the Board
- A Last Resort
- A Quandary
- Crossing the Creek
- The First Business Telegrams
- Profits and Projects
- A Grand Proposition
- How Something Came to an End
- A Meeting
- Once more in the Woods
- A Girl and a Gun
- A Man in a Boat
- Aunt Matilda's Letter
- Time to Stop