On the Return of the Dead
The story revolves around a young man who returns from the dead after being presumed deceased for several years. He finds that his family and friends have moved on with their lives, and he struggles to reintegrate into society. The narrative explores themes of identity, belonging, and the human experience of mortality.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1909 · Genre: Satire, Fantasy, Philosophical Fiction · 2,805 words
First lines
The reason the Dead do not return nowadays is the boredom of it.
In the old time they would come casually, as suited them, without fuss and thinly, as it were, which is their nature; but when such visits were doubted even by those who received them and when new and false names were given them the Dead did not find it worth while. It was always a trouble; they did it really more for our sakes than for theirs and they would be recognised or stay where they were.
What this Textopian page supports
On the Return of the Dead is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, 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: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Fantasy, Philosophical Fiction, Comedy, Historical Fiction
- Length: 2,805 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for On the Return of the Dead by Hilaire Belloc
- 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 On the Return of the Dead?
- How does this short story by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Ixion In Heaven by Benjamin Disraeli
- Asmodeus by Hilaire Belloc
- The Chaplain Of The Tower by Bernard Capes
- Ibid by H. P. Lovecraft
- Alice Book Xi by Edward Bulwer Lytton
- Philosopher Bimm by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — The text employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and intellectual pretensions, particularly through the absurdity of the dead returning and the reactions of various societal figures.
- Fantasy — The narrative involves supernatural elements, such as the return of the dead and the existence of a heavenly club for writers, which are central to the plot.
- Philosophical Fiction — The story explores themes of life, death, and the nature of reality, questioning the boundaries between the living and the dead.
- Comedy — The text contains comedic elements, including the farcical situation of Rabelais' return and the humorous portrayal of various characters' reactions.
Tags
Philosophy · Literary Fiction · Mystery · Supernatural · Gothic · Horror · Psychological Thriller · Paranormal · Ghost Story · Fictional History · Historical Fiction · Speculative Fiction