The Last of Timothy

Name: The Last of Timothy
Author: James Matthew Barrie

This novel tells the story of a young boy who dies and returns to life after being buried for several days. He finds himself in a world where children are immortal and live in a state of suspended animation, waiting for their turn to return to the living. The boy must navigate this strange new world and confront the reality of his own mortality.

By James Matthew Barrie · First published 1906 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction · 1,324 words

First lines

So accomplished a person as the reader must have seen at once that I made away with Timothy in order to give his little vests and pinafores and shoes to David, and, therefore, dear sir or madam, rail not overmuch at me for causing our painter pain. Know, too, that though his sympathy ran free I soon discovered many of his inquiries to be prompted by a mere selfish desire to save his boy from the fate of mine. Such are parents.

What this Textopian page supports

The Last of Timothy is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Matthew Barrie, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Tragedy, Domestic Fiction
Length: 1,324 words
Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Last of Timothy by James Matthew Barrie
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Last of Timothy?
How does this short story by James Matthew Barrie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The narrative focuses on introspective themes, character development, and emotional depth, typical of literary fiction.
Drama — The story explores complex emotional and relational dynamics, particularly around loss and parental responsibility.
Psychological Fiction — The text delves into the psychological state of the narrator, exploring themes of guilt, grief, and self-reflection.
Tragedy — The narrative centers on the poignant and sorrowful theme of losing a child, which is a hallmark of tragedy.