Mated by a Waiter by Israel Zangwill
The story revolves around the protagonist's marriage to a woman who is significantly older and has a reputation for being promiscuous. The narrator is initially drawn to her wealth and social status but soon becomes disillusioned with their relationship due to her infidelity and lack of emotional connection. As the narrative progresses, the protagonist's feelings of isolation and disconnection intensify, leading him to question the nature of his marriage and the societal expectations that have led him into this situation. The novel explores themes of love, class, and social status, raising questions about the morality and consequences of marrying for material gain rather than emotional connection.
By Israel Zangwill · First published 1904 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Romance · 4 chapters · 12,846 words
First lines
Jones! I mention him here because he is the first and last word of the story. It is the story of what might be called a game of chess between me and him; for I never made a move, but he made a counter-move. You must remember though that he played, so to speak, blindfold, while I started the game, not with the view of mating him, but merely for the fun of playing.
What this Textopian page supports
Mated by a Waiter is listed on Textopian as a novel by Israel Zangwill, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Israel Zangwill
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Romance, Farce, Social Commentary
- Length: 12,846 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 342 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mated by a Waiter by Israel Zangwill
- 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 Mated by a Waiter?
- How does this novel by Israel Zangwill fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Music Cure by George Bernard Shaw
- When A Mans Single by J. M. Barrie
- Patricia Brent Spinster by Herbert Jenkins
- What Every Woman Knows by J. M. Barrie
- Fannys First Play by George Bernard Shaw
Genres
- Comedy — The narrative is filled with humorous situations, misunderstandings, and playful deception, particularly involving the character of Jones and the protagonist's impersonation of a lord.
- Satire — The story satirizes social class distinctions and the pretensions of both the aristocracy and those who aspire to it, as well as the gullibility of people in the face of perceived nobility.
- Romance — The plot includes romantic elements, with the protagonist developing feelings for a woman he meets, leading to a comedic and romantic resolution.
- Farce — The exaggerated characters and improbable situations, such as the protagonist's impersonation and the antics of Jones, contribute to a farcical tone.
Tags
Romance · Comedy · Social Commentary · Marriage · Love Story · Satire · Class Conflict · Upper Class · Lower Class · Social Hierarchy · Relationships · Family Dynamics
Contents
- Black and White
- A Difficult Opening
- The Queen Comes into Play
- The Winning Move