A Stranger in Arcady
The novel revolves around a young man who returns to his ancestral home after a long absence and becomes embroiled in a mystery surrounding the family's past. As he delves deeper into the truth, he uncovers secrets that threaten to destroy the family's reputation and relationships. The story explores themes of identity, class, and morality in a small English town during the late 19th century.
By J.S. Fletcher · First published 1915 · Genre: Comedy, Mystery, Slice of Life · 5,248 words
First lines
Where the animal which subsequently became so famous in the village to whose sober quietude it brought an unexpected breath of romance first came from no one ever knew. Its coming was as mysterious as the falling of rain or growing of corn in the night; it must, indeed, have arrived in the night, for it was certainly a part and parcel of Little St. Peter's when Little St. Peter's awoke one morning. Those early birds who were out and about before the gossamers on the hedgerows had felt the first kiss of the autumn sun were aware of the presence of a remarkably lean pig, who was exploring the one street of the village with inquisitive nose, questioning eyes, and flapping ears. It went from one side of the street to another, and it was obviously on the look-out for whatever might come in its way in the shape of food. There was an oak near the entrance to the churchyard; the stranger paused beneath it as long as there was an acorn to be found amongst the fallen leaves. Farther along, there was a crab-apple-tree in the parson's hedge, the fruit of which was too bitter for even the most hardened boy of the village; it stopped there to devour the fallen sournesses which lay in the shining grass. But always it was going on, searching and inquiring, and its eyes grew hungrier as its swinging gait increased in speed. And coming at last to a gap in the fence of Widow Grooby's garden, it made its way through and set to work on the lone woman's potatoes.
What this Textopian page supports
A Stranger in Arcady is listed on Textopian as a short story by J.S. Fletcher, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: J.S. Fletcher
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Mystery, Slice of Life, Satire, Drama
- Length: 5,248 words
- Structure: 1 section, 99 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Stranger in Arcady by J.S. Fletcher
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Stranger in Arcady?
- How does this short story by J.S. Fletcher fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Way Of The Comet by J. S. Fletcher
- Ravensdene Court by J. S. Fletcher
- Lucian The Dreamer by J. S. Fletcher
- A Deal In Odd Volumes by J. S. Fletcher
- Bread Cast Upon The Waters by J. S. Fletcher
- The Root Of All Evil by J. S. Fletcher
Genres
- Comedy — The narrative is driven by humorous situations and character interactions, particularly involving the pig's antics and the villagers' responses.
- Mystery — The story revolves around the mysterious arrival and ownership of the pig, creating intrigue and curiosity.
- Slice of Life — The setting and events focus on everyday life in a small village, highlighting ordinary characters and their interactions.
- Satire — The story subtly critiques rural life and human nature through exaggerated characters and situations.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Detective Fiction · Classic Mystery · English Literature · Victorian Era · London Setting · Crime Story · Police Investigation · Suspenseful Plot · Plot Twist · Unreliable Narrator