The Little Nursery Governess
This novel revolves around a young woman who becomes the governess of two children at a remote estate. She soon discovers that the children are being terrorized by malevolent supernatural forces. The governess attempts to protect them, but her efforts are hindered by her own fragile mental state and the eerie atmosphere of the estate.
By James Matthew Barrie · First published 1871 · Genre: Romance, Drama, Literary Fiction · 3,135 words
First lines
As I enter the club smoking-room you are to conceive David vanishing into nothingness, and that it is any day six years ago at two in the afternoon. I ring for coffee, cigarette, and cherry brandy, and take my chair by the window, just as the absurd little nursery governess comes tripping into the street. I always feel that I have rung for her.
What this Textopian page supports
The Little Nursery Governess is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Matthew Barrie, dated 1871 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: 1871 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Drama, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Humor
- Length: 3,135 words
- Structure: 1 section, 42 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Little Nursery Governess 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Little Nursery Governess?
- How does this short story by James Matthew Barrie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romance — The central theme revolves around the romantic relationship between the nursery governess and the young man, highlighting love, courtship, and emotional connections.
- Drama — The narrative includes elements of personal conflict, emotional turmoil, and the societal pressures faced by the characters, contributing to a dramatic tension.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style and character development focus on the intricacies of human emotions and social interactions, typical of literary fiction.
- Social Commentary — The story reflects on societal norms, class distinctions, and the roles of women, providing a critique of the social structure of the time.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fiction · Novel · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Nanny · Childcare · Family Dynamics · Class Conflict · Victorian Era · London Setting