The Man who Would not Play Cards
A man refuses to play cards with his friends due to a superstition that he will be killed if he does so. He is eventually forced to play and is indeed killed in a tragic accident. The story explores the theme of fate versus free will, highlighting the consequences of one's actions when driven by irrational fears.
By H.C. McNeile · First published 1925 · Genre: Drama, Romance, Psychological Fiction · 5 chapters · 8,788 words
First lines
"Thanks very much, but as I told you before -- I don't play cards."
The speaker, a tall, bronzed man whose clear eye and slightly weather-beaten face proclaimed him to be no dweller in cities, paused at the smoking-room door, and stared, a little deliberately, at the man who had just accosted him. It was the second time that day that this same gentleman had endeavoured to rope him into a game of poker -- "just small stakes, you know" -- and Hugh Massingham disliked being asked things twice. Almost as much as, in this particular case, he disliked the appearance of the asker.
What this Textopian page supports
The Man who Would not Play Cards is listed on Textopian as a novella by H.C. McNeile, dated 1925 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: H.C. McNeile
- Date: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Adventure, Social Commentary
- Length: 8,788 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 169 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Man who Would not Play Cards by H.C. McNeile
- 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 The Man who Would not Play Cards?
- How does this novella by H.C. McNeile fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Count And The Manager by Joseph C. Lincoln
- Helping The Other Fellow by O. Henry
- Tea by Hector Hugh Munro
- The Two Volodyas by Anton Chekhov
- The Old Maid by Honore De Balzac
- The Pitfall by Mary Cholmondeley
Genres
- Drama — The story revolves around complex interpersonal relationships and emotional conflicts, particularly focusing on marriage and infidelity.
- Romance — Central to the plot is the romantic tension and the exploration of love and fidelity between the main characters.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological states and motivations of the characters, especially the protagonist's internal struggle and decision-making.
- Adventure — The protagonist's background and experiences in exotic locations add an element of adventure to the story.
Tags
Humorous Fiction · Short Story Collection · British Literature · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Satire · Anti-Elite Sentiment · Wit and Irony · Sardonic Humor · Cynicism · Critique of Society · Upper Class Critique