The Jesting of Arlington Stringham
The story revolves around the life of Arlington Stringham, a young man who returns to his hometown after serving in World War I. He is disillusioned with the war and its effects on society, and he begins to question the values and morals of those around him. Stringham's interactions with various characters, including his family and friends, reveal their superficiality and hypocrisy. He becomes increasingly isolated as he struggles to reconcile his own sense of morality with the societal norms that surround him. Throughout the story, Stringham's narrative voice is characterized by its wit and sarcasm, which serve as a commentary on the absurdities of life in post-war England. The novel explores themes of disillusionment, moral decay, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
By Hector Hugh Munro · First published 1909 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Tragedy · 1,517 words
First lines
Arlington Stringham made a joke in the House of Commons. It was a thin House, and a very thin joke; something about the Anglo-Saxon race having a great many angles. It is possible that it was unintentional, but a fellow-member, who did not wish it to be supposed that he was asleep because his eyes were shut, laughed. One or two of the papers noted "a laugh" in brackets, and another, which was notorious for the carelessness of its political news, mentioned "laughter. " Things often begin in that way.
What this Textopian page supports
The Jesting of Arlington Stringham 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, Tragedy, Political Fiction, Domestic Fiction
- Length: 1,517 words
- Structure: 1 section, 38 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Jesting of Arlington Stringham by Hector Hugh Munro
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Jesting of Arlington Stringham?
- 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?
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Genres
- Satire — The story uses humor and irony to critique social norms and the trivialities of upper-class life.
- Comedy — The narrative revolves around humorous situations and witty dialogue, particularly in the context of political and domestic life.
- Tragedy — Despite its comedic elements, the story ends on a tragic note with the death of Eleanor Stringham, highlighting the darker undertones of the narrative.
- Political Fiction — The setting and events are closely tied to the political environment, with references to the House of Commons and political figures.
Tags
Satire · Dark Humor · Social Commentary · Class Satire · English Literature · Novella · Short Story Collection · Anti-Hero · Morality Tale · Critique of Society · Absurdism · Black Comedy