A Bread and Butter Miss
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security and social status. She navigates the complexities of her new life, struggling to reconcile her own desires with the expectations placed upon her by society. The narrative explores themes of class, morality, and the constraints imposed on women during this period.
By Hector Hugh Munro · First published 1901 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Short Story · 2,150 words
First lines
"Starling Chatter and Oakhill have both dropped back in the betting," said Bertie van Tahn, throwing the morning paper across the breakfast table.
"That leaves Nursery Tea practically favourite," said Odo Finsberry.
What this Textopian page supports
A Bread and Butter Miss is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hector Hugh Munro, dated 1901 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hector Hugh Munro
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Short Story, Social Commentary, Drama
- Length: 2,150 words
- Structure: 1 section, 58 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Bread and Butter Miss by Hector Hugh Munro
- 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 A Bread and Butter Miss?
- How does this short story by Hector Hugh Munro fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Match Maker by Hector Hugh Munro
- A Comedy In Rubber by O. Henry
- The Phantom Luncheon by Hector Hugh Munro
- The Romancers by Hector Hugh Munro
- The Exact Science Of Matrimony by O. Henry
- The Guests by Hector Hugh Munro
Genres
- Comedy — The story is filled with humorous dialogue and situations, particularly in the characters' interactions and the absurdity of relying on dreams for betting.
- Satire — The narrative satirizes the social elite and their obsession with horse racing and betting, highlighting their trivial pursuits and superstitions.
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a single event, typical of the short story format.
- Social Commentary — The story provides a critique of the upper class's lifestyle and priorities, using the Derby as a backdrop to explore societal norms.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Comedy · Romance · Literary Fiction · Short Story Collection · British Literature · Edwardian Era · Class Satire · Upper Class · Society Novel · Marriage