At the Article of Death by John Buchan
The narrative follows a solitary shepherd grappling with illness and impending death in a desolate moorland setting. After the loss of his wife and the absence of children, he has lived a life of isolation, neglecting his health and household. As he battles a debilitating sickness, he reflects on his past, filled with toil and a deep, albeit unarticulated, faith. The story unfolds during a bleak autumn evening, where the protagonist, weakened and alone, struggles to return home after a painful episode. His physical decline is mirrored by his emotional desolation, as he confronts the reality of dying in solitude. Inside his unkempt cottage, he attempts to find solace in the remnants of his faith, reaching for his Bible but finding it difficult to focus on the comforting words he once cherished. As night falls, he experiences a mix of terror and nostalgia, haunted by shadows and the sounds of the outside world. In a moment of desperation, he resorts to drinking brandy, which temporarily revives his spirits but also heightens his confusion and fear. His mind oscillates between memories of scripture and childhood fears, culminating in a confrontation with the specter of death. In his final moments, he is visited by his loyal dog, which brings a fleeting sense of connection and comfort. Ultimately, he faces death with a mix of resignation and a flicker of bravery, stripped of his religious convictions and left with only the raw essence of his humanity. The story poignantly captures the themes of isolation, mortality, and the struggle for meaning in the face of inevitable demise.
By John Buchan · First published 1938 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Drama, Tragedy · 2,855 words
First lines
Nullum Sacra caput Proserpina fugit.
A noiseless evening fell chill and dank on the moorlands. The Dreichil was mist to the very rim of its precipitous face, and the long, dun sides of the Little Muneraw faded into grey vapour. Underfoot were plashy moss and dripping heather, and all the air was choked with autumnal heaviness. The herd of the Lanely Bield stumbled wearily homeward in this, the late afternoon, with the roof-tree of his cottage to guide him over the waste.
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores deep themes of mortality, loneliness, and introspection, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Psychological Drama — The narrative delves into the protagonist's mental and emotional struggles as he faces death.
- Tragedy — The story embodies tragic elements, focusing on loss, suffering, and the inevitability of death.
- Religious Fiction — The protagonist's reflections on faith and spirituality are central to the narrative.
Tags
adventure · mystery · thriller · suspense · historical · war · espionage · political intrigue · action · survival · courage · betrayal
What this Textopian page supports
At the Article of Death is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Buchan, dated 1938 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: John Buchan
- Date: 1938 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Drama, Tragedy, Religious Fiction, Gothic Fiction
- Length: 2,855 words
- Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At the Article of Death by John Buchan
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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