An Edinburgh Eleven by James Matthew Barrie
The story revolves around a group of young boys who form an exclusive club at the Edinburgh Academy. They are known for their mischievous behavior and strict adherence to their own rules. The narrator describes them as being obsessed with secrecy, exclusivity, and the thrill of doing something forbidden. Their activities often involve pranks and vandalism, which they justify by claiming that it's all in good fun. However, their actions also have a darker side, as they can be cruel and hurtful to those outside their group. The narrator suggests that the boys' behavior is a manifestation of their desire for power and control, as well as their need to rebel against authority. The story raises questions about the nature of childhood and the impact of social pressures on young people's behavior. Throughout the narrative, the boys are portrayed as being both charming and repellent, making it difficult for the reader to sympathize with them entirely. The story ultimately presents a nuanced exploration of the complexities of human nature, particularly in adolescence.
By James Matthew Barrie · First published 1895 · Genre: Biography, Non-fiction, Literary Criticism · 11 chapters · 21,439 words
First lines
The first time I ever saw Lord Rosebery was in Edinburgh when I was a student, and I flung a clod of earth at him. He was a peer; those were my politics.
I missed him, and I have heard a good many journalists say since then that he is a difficult man to hit. One who began by liking him and is now scornful, which is just the reverse process from mine, told me the reason why. He had some brochures to write on the Liberal leaders, and got on nicely till he reached Lord Rosebery, where he stuck. In vain he walked round his lordship, looking for an opening. The man was naturally indignant; he is the father of a family.
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Genres
- Biography — The book consists of biographical sketches of notable figures associated with Edinburgh University.
- Non-fiction — The content is based on real people and events, providing factual accounts.
- Literary Criticism — The book offers critical insights and reflections on the lives and contributions of its subjects.
- History — It provides historical context and background on the individuals and the university.
Tags
Coming-of-age · Humor · Satire · Social commentary · Scottish culture · Literary fiction · Novel · Young adult · Friendship · Sports · Football · Education
What this Textopian page supports
An Edinburgh Eleven is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Matthew Barrie, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Matthew Barrie
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Non-fiction, Literary Criticism, History, Essay
- Length: 21,439 words
- Structure: 11 chapters, 114 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Edinburgh Eleven by James Matthew Barrie
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Contents
- Lord Rosebery
- Professor Masson
- Professor John Stuart Blackie
- Professor Calderwood
- Professor Tait
- Professor Campbell Fraser
- Professor Chrystal
- Professor Sellar
- Mr. Joseph Thomson
- Robert Louis Stevenson
- Rev. Walter C. Smith, D. D
More by James Matthew Barrie
- Peter Pan (1911)
- Margaret Ogilvy (1888)
- Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (1906)
- David and I Set Forth Upon a Journey (1917)
- The Little Nursery Governess (1871)
- Her Marriage, her Clothes, her Appetite, and an Inventory of Her (1908)
- A Night-Piece (1895)
- The Fight for Timothy (1912)
- All works by James Matthew Barrie