An Accident by G.K. Chesterton
An Accident is a short story by G.K. Chesterton that follows the events of a car accident involving two men and a woman. The story explores themes of fate, chance, and the unexpected nature of life.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1905 · Genre: Humor, Essay, Philosophical · 1,666 words
First lines
Some time ago I wrote in these columns an article called "The Extraordinary Cabman. " I am now in a position to contribute my experience of a still more extraordinary cab. The extraordinary thing about the cab was that it did not like me; it threw me out violently in the middle of the Strand. If my friends who read the DAILY NEWS are as romantic (and as rich) as I take them to be, I presume that this experience is not uncommon. I suppose that they are all being thrown out of cabs, all over London. Still, as there are some people, virginal and remote from the world, who have not yet had this luxurious experience, I will give a short account of the psychology of myself when my hansom cab ran into the side of a motor omnibus, and I hope hurt it.
What this Textopian page supports
An Accident is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Essay, Philosophical, Satire, Autobiographical
- Length: 1,666 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Accident by G.K. Chesterton
- 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 An Accident?
- How does this short story by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Wrong Horse by G. K. Chesterton
- Some Policemen And A Moral by G. K. Chesterton
- The Man With Two Beards by G. K. Chesterton
- Five Hundred And Fifty Five by G. K. Chesterton
- The Mad Official by G. K. Chesterton
- The Actor And The Alibi by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Humor — The narrative is infused with wit and comedic elements, particularly in the depiction of the accident and the protagonist's reactions.
- Essay — The work is structured as a reflective essay, with the author sharing personal experiences and insights.
- Philosophical — The text explores philosophical themes such as the nature of fear, stoicism, and the meaning of life.
- Satire — There is a satirical tone in the commentary on societal norms and personal behavior during the accident.
Tags
mystery · humor · philosophy · crime · detective · short story · satire · irony · social commentary · narrative · suspense · character study