Only a Dream by H. Rider Haggard
The story revolves around a young man who becomes embroiled in a plot to steal a valuable treasure from an ancient temple. He must navigate treacherous jungle terrain and confront various obstacles to achieve his goal, all while struggling with the moral implications of his actions. Along the way, he encounters a mysterious woman who may hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the treasure.
By H. Rider Haggard · First published 1886 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Psychological Fiction · 3,189 words
First lines
Footprints-footprints-the footprints of one dead. How ghastly they look as they fall before me! Up and down the long hall they go, and I follow them. _Pit, pat_ they fall, those unearthly steps, and beneath them starts up that awful impress. I can see it grow upon the marble, a damp and dreadful thing.
Tread them down; tread them out; follow after them with muddy shoes, and cover them up. In vain. See how they rise through the mire! Who can tread out the footprints of the dead?
What this Textopian page supports
Only a Dream is listed on Textopian as a short story by H. Rider Haggard, dated 1886 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: H. Rider Haggard
- Date: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Psychological Fiction, Supernatural Fiction, Drama
- Length: 3,189 words
- Structure: 1 section, 40 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Only a Dream by H. Rider Haggard
- 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 Only a Dream?
- How does this short story by H. Rider Haggard fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Blue Curtains by H. Rider Haggard
- Swallow by H. Rider Haggard
- Little Flower by H. Rider Haggard
- Morning Star by H. Rider Haggard
- Black Heart And White Heart by H. Rider Haggard
- The Ivory Child by H. Rider Haggard
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The narrative features supernatural elements, a haunting atmosphere, and themes of death and the macabre, typical of Gothic fiction.
- Horror — The story evokes fear and dread through the appearance of a ghostly figure and the protagonist's psychological terror.
- Psychological Fiction — The focus on the protagonist's internal conflict, guilt, and emotional turmoil aligns with psychological fiction.
- Supernatural Fiction — The presence of a ghostly apparition and unexplained phenomena categorize it as supernatural fiction.
Tags
Adventure · Fantasy · Romance · Historical Fiction · Colonialism · Imperialism · Africa · Exploration · Quest · Magic · Mythology · Supernatural