A Shock by James Matthew Barrie
The story revolves around a young boy who dies and returns to the world of the living for one day. He is given the opportunity to relive his life and make amends with those he has wronged. The narrative explores themes of regret, redemption, and the human condition.
By James Matthew Barrie · First published 1918 · Genre: Drama, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction · 1,351 words
First lines
It was on a May day, and I saw Mary accompany her husband as far as the first crossing, whence she waved him out of sight as if he had boarded an Atlantic-liner. All this time she wore the face of a woman happily married who meant to go straight home, there to await her lord's glorious return; and the military-looking gentleman watching her with a bored smile saw nothing better before him than a chapter on the Domestic Felicities. Oh, Mary, can you not provide me with the tiniest little plot?
Hallo!
What this Textopian page supports
A Shock is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Matthew Barrie, dated 1918 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: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Social Commentary
- Length: 1,351 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Shock 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Shock?
- How does this short story by James Matthew Barrie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- After Three Days by Lewis Carroll
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- The Lonely Idol by Lord Dunsany
- Lud In The Mist by Hope Mirrlees
- The Laestrygonians by Aleksandr Kuprin
Genres
- Drama — The narrative focuses on the emotional and psychological experiences of the characters, particularly Mary's internal conflict and the observer's reflections.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the mental states and motivations of the characters, exploring themes of shame, secrecy, and perception.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style and thematic depth emphasize character development and moral dilemmas, typical of literary fiction.
- Domestic Fiction — The plot revolves around domestic life and relationships, particularly the dynamics between Mary and her husband.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Mystery · Thriller · Psychological · Drama · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Identity Crisis · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Morality Tale
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