A Matter of Sentiment
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after serving in the military and becomes infatuated with a woman he meets at a local dance hall. He begins to pursue her, but their relationship is complicated by his own emotional instability and her lack of interest in him. As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that the protagonist's obsession with this woman stems from his own feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. His fixation on her serves as a distraction from his own emotional pain, which he has been unable to confront or resolve. The story explores themes of love, rejection, and the fragility of human relationships. Through the protagonist's experiences, it highlights the dangers of unchecked emotions and the devastating consequences that can result when individuals become trapped in their own sentimentalities.
By Hector Hugh Munro · First published 1898 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Short Story · 1,629 words
First lines
It was the eve of the great race, and scarcely a member of Lady Susan's house-party had as yet a single bet on. It was one of those unsatisfactory years when one horse held a commanding market position, not by reason of any general belief in its crushing superiority, but because it was extremely difficult to pitch on any other candidate to whom to pin ones faith. Peradventure II was the favourite, not in the sense of being a popular fancy, but by virtue of a lack of confidence in any one of his rather undistinguished rivals. The brains of clubland were much exercised in seeking out possible merit where none was very obvious to the naked intelligence, and the house-party at Lady Susan's was possessed by the same uncertainty and irresolution that infected wider circles.
What this Textopian page supports
A Matter of Sentiment is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hector Hugh Munro, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Comedy, Short Story, Social Commentary, Drama
- Length: 1,629 words
- Structure: 1 section, 26 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Matter of Sentiment by Hector Hugh Munro
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Matter of Sentiment?
- How does this short story by Hector Hugh Munro fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Satire — The story employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and behaviors, particularly through the character of Lady Susan and the absurdity of the house-party's obsession with betting.
- Comedy — The narrative is filled with witty dialogue and humorous situations, especially in the interactions among the guests and the unexpected outcome of the race.
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a single event, characteristic of the short story format.
- Social Commentary — The text offers insights into the social dynamics and attitudes of the upper class, particularly through the lens of disapproval and societal expectations.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Dark Humor · Absurdism · Anti-Hero · Morality Play · Gothic Fiction · Psychological Insight · Existential Crisis · Philosophical Themes · Critique of Society · Class Satire