On the Stage-And Off

Name: On the Stage-And Off
Author: Jerome K. Jerome

The novel revolves around a young woman who becomes involved with a group of actors and actresses on stage and off. She navigates the complexities of their relationships, both romantic and platonic, while also confronting her own desires and sense of identity. As she delves deeper into this world, she faces challenges to her values and morals, forcing her to re-evaluate what is truly important to her. The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, and the blurred lines between reality and performance. Throughout the story, the protagonist's relationships with the actors are multifaceted and often tumultuous, reflecting the intense emotions and conflicts that arise when people are living in close quarters and relying on each other for support. Ultimately, the novel presents a nuanced portrayal of the human experience, highlighting the complexities and contradictions that exist within individuals and their relationships.

By Jerome K. Jerome · First published 1924 · Genre: Comedy, Theater, Satire · 17 chapters · 46,423 words

First lines

HERE comes a time in every one's life when he feels he was born to be an actor. Something within him tells him that he is the coming man, and that one day he will electrify the world. Then he burns with a desire to show them how the thing's done, and to draw a salary of three hundred a week.

This sort of thing generally takes a man when he is about nineteen, and lasts till he is nearly twenty. But he doesn't know this at the time. He thinks he has got hold of an inspiration all to himself -- a kind of solemn "call," which it would be wicked to disregard; and when he finds that there are obstacles in the way of his immediate appearance as Hamlet at a leading West-end theater, he is blighted.

What this Textopian page supports

On the Stage-And Off is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jerome K. Jerome, dated 1924 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Jerome K. Jerome
Date: 1924 CE
Language: English
Genres: Comedy, Theater, Satire, Fiction, Drama
Length: 46,423 words
Structure: 17 chapters, 432 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for On the Stage-And Off by Jerome K. Jerome
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 On the Stage-And Off?
How does this novel by Jerome K. Jerome fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Comedy — The work features humorous situations and witty dialogue, characteristic of comedic literature.
Theater — The narrative revolves around the world of stage performance, exploring the intricacies of theatrical life.
Satire — It critiques societal norms and the theatrical profession through exaggerated characters and situations.
Fiction — The story is a fictional narrative that explores the lives of its characters in a creative context.