The Lease of the "Cross Keys."
The novel revolves around a young woman who takes up residence at an old inn called the Cross Keys. She becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and power struggles between the local gentry and the working class. The story explores themes of social hierarchy, morality, and the constraints placed on women during this time period.
By Jerome K. Jerome · First published 1885 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Fiction · 1,997 words
First lines
This story is about a shop: many stories are. One Sunday evening this Bishop had to preach a sermon at St. Paul's Cathedral. The occasion was a very special and important one, and every God-fearing newspaper in the kingdom sent its own special representative to report the proceedings.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lease of the "Cross Keys." is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jerome K. Jerome, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jerome K. Jerome
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Fiction, Short Story, Drama
- Length: 1,997 words
- Structure: 1 section, 43 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lease of the "Cross Keys." 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 The Lease of the "Cross Keys."?
- How does this short story by Jerome K. Jerome fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The narrative employs humor through the absurdity of the reporter's situation and the interactions between characters.
- Satire — The story critiques societal norms, particularly regarding religion and journalism, highlighting hypocrisy and human folly.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional narrative that explores character-driven plots and scenarios.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and structured as a short story, focusing on a single incident.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Romance · Regency Era · England Setting · Social Class · Marriage of Convenience · Forbidden Love · Family Drama · Love Triangle · Secrets and Lies · Betrayal · Revenge