Uncle Cornelius his Story
The narrative follows Harry Heywood and his sisters as they await their eccentric Uncle Cornelius, a man deeply engrossed in speculative thought and the mysteries of existence. Upon his arrival, they express a desire for a story, leading Cornelius to recount a peculiar experience from his past. He describes a time in 1820 when he fell in love with Laetitia Hetheridge, a woman whose strict adherence to order and household management ultimately repelled him. During his visit to her family's estate, he encounters a ghostly figure resembling an old lady he had seen previously in London. This apparition appears to be trapped in a cycle of mundane concerns, obsessively managing old accounts. As the story unfolds, Cornelius grapples with the implications of the ghost's existence and its connection to Laetitia, who later dies unexpectedly. The tale explores themes of love, loss, and the haunting nature of unresolved issues, suggesting that the past can linger in ways that affect the living. Ultimately, the story raises questions about the nature of belief, the significance of memories, and the burdens carried by both the living and the dead.
By George MacDonald · First published 1863 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Fantasy · 11,483 words
First lines
It was a dull evening in November. A drizzling mist had been falling all day about the old farm. Harry Heywood and his two sisters sat in the house-place, expecting a visit from their uncle, Cornelius Heywood. This uncle lived alone, occupying the first floor above a chemist's shop in the town, and had just enough of money over to buy books that nobody seemed ever to have heard of but himself; for he was a student in all those regions of speculation in which anything to be called knowledge is impossible.
"What a dreary night! " said Kate. "I wish uncle would come and tell us a story."
What this Textopian page supports
Uncle Cornelius his Story is listed on Textopian as a novella by George MacDonald, dated 1863 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 11,483 words
- Structure: 1 section, 198 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Uncle Cornelius his Story by George MacDonald
- 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 Uncle Cornelius his Story?
- How does this novella by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The story features elements typical of Gothic fiction, such as a mysterious atmosphere, supernatural occurrences, and an old, eerie setting.
- Horror — The narrative includes ghostly apparitions and a sense of dread, which are key components of horror.
- Fantasy — The presence of supernatural elements and speculative ideas about the spirit world align with the fantasy genre.
- Mystery — The story involves unexplained events and a quest for understanding, which are central to the mystery genre.
Tags
fantasy · adventure · children's literature · moral lessons · imagination · family · friendship · whimsy · narrative · mystery · magic · growth