Hyacinth by Hector Hugh Munro (1909)
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security and social status. She is portrayed as vain, selfish, and manipulative, using her beauty to get what she wants from men. The narrative explores themes of love, marriage, and the societal expectations placed on women during that time period.
By Hector Hugh Munro · First published 1909 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Political Fiction · 2,680 words
First lines
"The new fashion of introducing the candidate's children into an election contest is a pretty one," said Mrs. Panstreppon; "it takes away something from the acerbity of party warfare, and it makes an interesting experience for children to look back on in after years. Still, if you will listen to my advice, Matilda, you will not take Hyacinth with you down to Luffbridge on election day."
What this Textopian page supports
Hyacinth is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hector Hugh Munro, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Comedy, Political Fiction, Children's Literature, Social Commentary
- Length: 2,680 words
- Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Hyacinth 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 Hyacinth?
- 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
- The Mappined Life by Hector Hugh Munro
- A Defensive Diamond by Hector Hugh Munro
- Forewarned by Hector Hugh Munro
- The Schartz Metterklume Method by Hector Hugh Munro
- Ministers Of Grace by Hector Hugh Munro
- The Way To The Dairy by Hector Hugh Munro
Genres
- Satire — The story uses humor and irony to critique political processes and social norms, particularly through the exaggerated behavior of the characters.
- Comedy — The narrative is filled with humorous situations and witty dialogue, especially in the depiction of Hyacinth's antics and the adults' reactions.
- Political Fiction — The plot revolves around an election, highlighting political strategies and the absurdity of political campaigns.
- Children's Literature — The central character is a child, and the story explores themes of childhood behavior and innocence, albeit with a satirical twist.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Dark Humor · Absurdism · Anti-Hero · Morality Play · Fiction · Novella · Literary Fiction · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Irony