The Peace of Mowsle Barton by Hector Hugh Munro
The story revolves around a group of British officers stationed in France during World War I. They are portrayed as being more concerned with their own petty squabbles and social status than with the war effort. The narrative focuses on the character of Captain Wimbush, who is struggling to maintain order among his men. He is particularly at odds with Lieutenant Sippy, a young officer who is seen as arrogant and incompetent. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the officers are more interested in their own personal dramas than in the war itself. They engage in petty arguments and power struggles, while the soldiers they are supposed to be leading are left to fend for themselves. The narrative is a scathing critique of the British officer class during World War I, portraying them as self-absorbed and incompetent. The story ultimately ends with a sense of despair and hopelessness, as the officers continue to bicker and squabble while the war rages on around them.
By Hector Hugh Munro · First published 1908 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Satire · 2,956 words
First lines
Crefton Lockyer sat at his ease, an ease alike of body and soul, in the little patch of ground, half-orchard and half-garden, that abutted on the farmyard at Mowsle Barton. After the stress and noise of long years of city life, the repose and peace of the hill-begirt homestead struck on his senses with an almost dramatic intensity. Time and space seemed to lose their meaning and their abruptness; the minutes slid away into hours, and the meadows and fallows sloped away into middle distance, softly and imperceptibly. Wild weeds of the hedgerow straggled into the flower-garden, and wallflowers and garden bushes made counter-raids into farmyard and lane. Sleepy-looking hens and solemn preoccupied ducks were equally at home in yard, orchard, or roadway; nothing seemed to belong definitely to anywhere; even the gates were not necessarily to be found on their hinges. And over the whole scene brooded the sense of a peace that had almost a quality of magic in it.
Similar titles
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Genres
- Horror — The story involves elements of witchcraft and supernatural occurrences, creating an atmosphere of fear and unease.
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around unexplained events and the protagonist's attempt to understand the strange happenings at the farm.
- Satire — The story subtly critiques rural life and superstitions, using irony and humor to highlight human folly.
- Drama — The interactions between characters and the unfolding events create tension and emotional conflict.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Dark Humor · Anti-War · Fiction · Novella · English Literature · 20th Century Literature · World War I · War Novel · Critique of Society · Class Satire
What this Textopian page supports
The Peace of Mowsle Barton is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hector Hugh Munro, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Satire, Drama, Fantasy
- Length: 2,956 words
- Structure: 1 section, 42 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Peace of Mowsle Barton by Hector Hugh Munro
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