Some Policemen and a Moral
Some Policemen and a Moral is a collection of short stories by G.K. Chesterton. The book includes tales about detectives, criminals, and moral dilemmas. One story in particular, "The Blue Cross," features the famous detective Father Brown as he solves a case involving stolen jewels. Another story, "The Hammer of God," explores themes of justice and retribution. Overall, the book is known for its clever plot twists and thought-provoking themes.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1908 · Genre: Essay, Satire, Philosophical Fiction · 1,655 words
First lines
The other day I was nearly arrested by two excited policemen in a wood in Yorkshire. I was on a holiday, and was engaged in that rich and intricate mass of pleasures, duties, and discoveries which for the keeping off of the profane, we disguise by the exoteric name of Nothing. At the moment in question I was throwing a big Swedish knife at a tree, practising (alas, without success) that useful trick of knife-throwing by which men murder each other in Stevenson's romances.
What this Textopian page supports
Some Policemen and a Moral is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Essay, Satire, Philosophical Fiction, Social Commentary, Humor
- Length: 1,655 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Some Policemen and a Moral 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 Some Policemen and a Moral?
- How does this short story by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Essay first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Criminal Head by G. K. Chesterton
- The Innocence Of The Criminal by G. K. Chesterton
- The Defendant by G. K. Chesterton
- The Nameless Man by G. K. Chesterton
- The Man Who Thinks Backwards by G. K. Chesterton
- Street Cries And Stretching The Law by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Essay — The work is structured as a reflective essay, exploring philosophical and social themes through a personal anecdote.
- Satire — The narrative employs humor and irony to critique societal norms, particularly the British class system and legal inconsistencies.
- Philosophical Fiction — The story delves into philosophical musings on morality, justice, and societal values, using a fictional encounter as a vehicle for deeper reflection.
- Social Commentary — The text provides a critique of social issues, such as class snobbery and the influence of wealth on justice, reflecting on broader societal implications.
Tags
mystery · crime · detective · morality · justice · philosophy · suspense · narrative · short stories · human nature · social commentary · irony