The Mummer by G.K. Chesterton (1928)
The Mummer is a novel by G.K. Chesterton that follows the story of a group of actors who perform in a small village during Christmas time. The plot revolves around the mystery surrounding the death of one of the actors, and the efforts of the other characters to uncover the truth behind his demise.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1928 · Genre: Fiction, Short Story, Humor · 1,415 words
First lines
The night before Christmas Eve I heard a burst of musical voices so close that they might as well have been inside the house instead of just outside; so I asked them inside, hoping that they might then seem farther away. Then I realised that they were the Christmas Mummers, who come every year in country parts to enact the rather rigid fragments of the old Christmas play of St. George, the Turkish Knight, and the Very Venal Doctor. I will not describe it; it is indescribable; but I will describe my parallel sentiments as it passed.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mummer is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1928 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: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Humor, Satire, Cultural Commentary
- Length: 1,415 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mummer 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Mummer?
- How does this short story by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Fiction — The narrative is a fictional account involving characters and events that are not real.
- Short Story — The work is a brief narrative focusing on a specific event or theme.
- Humor — The writing style includes wit and irony, providing a humorous take on traditional customs.
- Satire — The text critiques and mocks societal norms and traditions through exaggeration and irony.
Tags
mystery · detective · crime · suspense · literary · fiction · philosophical · social commentary · character study · dark humor · English literature · early 20th century