The Story of St. Vespaluus
This short story revolves around a young man who becomes infatuated with a woman and decides to become a saint in order to be near her after she dies. He undergoes various physical transformations, including the loss of his limbs, but remains devoted to the woman's memory. The narrative is presented as a series of letters from the young man to his friend, detailing his experiences and spiritual growth.
By Hector Hugh Munro · First published 1903 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Fantasy · 3,409 words
First lines
"Tell me a story," said the Baroness, staring out despairingly at the rain; it was that light, apologetic sort of rain that looks as if it was going to leave off every minute and goes on for the greater part of the afternoon.
"What sort of story? " asked Clovis, giving his croquet mallet a valedictory shove into retirement.
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of St. Vespaluus is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hector Hugh Munro, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Comedy, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 3,409 words
- Structure: 1 section, 52 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Story of St. Vespaluus 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 Story of St. Vespaluus?
- 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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- The Mappined Life by Hector Hugh Munro
Genres
- Satire — The story uses humor and irony to critique religious and societal norms, particularly through the absurdity of the characters' actions and beliefs.
- Comedy — The narrative is filled with humorous situations and witty dialogue, especially in the interactions between Clovis and the Baroness.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as miraculous events and fictional kingdoms, contributing to a whimsical and imaginative setting.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context suggest a historical period with a mix of pagan and Christian elements, though it is not strictly accurate.
Tags
Satire · Dark Humor · Absurdism · Anti-Hero · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Morality Play · Fictionalized History · Historical Fiction · Parody · Irony · Black Comedy