The Stampeding of Lady Bastable
The story revolves around a young woman who is being pursued by a group of men. She attempts to escape but ultimately meets her demise. The narrative is presented in a detached and matter-of-fact manner, with little emotional investment or commentary from the narrator.
By Hector Hugh Munro · First published 1908 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Short Story · 1,276 words
First lines
"It would be rather nice if you would put Clovis up for another six days while I go up north to the MacGregors'," said Mrs. Sangrail sleepily across the breakfast-table. It was her invariable plan to speak in a sleepy, comfortable voice whenever she was unusually keen about anything; it put people off their guard, and they frequently fell in with her wishes before they had realized that she was really asking for anything. Lady Bastable, however, was not so easily taken unawares; possibly she knew that voice and what it betokened -- at any rate, she knew Clovis.
What this Textopian page supports
The Stampeding of Lady Bastable 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: Comedy, Satire, Short Story, Social Commentary
- Length: 1,276 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Stampeding of Lady Bastable 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Stampeding of Lady Bastable?
- 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
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Genres
- Comedy — The story is characterized by humorous situations and witty dialogue, particularly through the antics of Clovis and the reactions of Lady Bastable.
- Satire — The narrative satirizes social norms and the behavior of the upper class, highlighting their absurdities and pretensions.
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a single incident, typical of the short story format.
- Social Commentary — The text provides insight into societal behaviors and class dynamics, critiquing the superficiality of social interactions.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Dark Humor · Absurdism · Anti-Hero · Morality Play · Victorian Era · Upper Class · Snobbery · Class Struggle · Moral Decay · Decadence