A School Story by M.R. James (1898)
The story revolves around a group of students at an English public school who uncover a dark secret from the school's past. They discover that one of their predecessors had been involved in a tragic event and that his spirit still haunts the school. As they dig deeper, they begin to experience strange occurrences and supernatural events, which lead them to believe that the ghost is trying to communicate with them. The students are initially skeptical but eventually become convinced that the ghost is real and that it's trying to warn them of an impending disaster. The story builds up to a climactic conclusion as the students try to uncover the truth behind the ghost's presence and prevent the predicted catastrophe from occurring.
By M.R. James · First published 1898 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Gothic Fiction · 3,523 words
First lines
Two men in a smoking-room were talking of their private-school days. "At our school," said A., "we had a ghost's footmark on the staircase. What was it like? Oh, very unconvincing. Just the shape of a shoe, with a square toe, if I remember right. The staircase was a stone one. I never heard any story about the thing. That seems odd, when you come to think of it. Why didn't somebody invent one, I wonder?"
"You never can tell with little boys. They have a mythology of their own. There's a subject for you, by the way -- ‘The Folklore of Private Schools."
What this Textopian page supports
A School Story is listed on Textopian as a short story by M.R. James, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: M.R. James
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Gothic Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Literary Fiction
- Length: 3,523 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A School Story by M.R. James
- 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 A School Story?
- How does this short story by M.R. James fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Madam Crowls Ghost by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
- The Residence At Whitminster by M. R. James
- Oh Whistle And Ill Come To You My Lad by M. R. James
- The Wyvern Mystery by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
- Squire Tobys Will by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Genres
- Horror — The story features supernatural elements, including ghostly apparitions and eerie occurrences, which are central to the plot.
- Mystery — The narrative involves unexplained events and a sense of intrigue surrounding the characters and their experiences.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting includes an old school with a dark past, contributing to the overall atmosphere of suspense and dread.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist reflects on his school days and relationships, highlighting themes of youth and personal growth.
Tags
Supernatural Fiction · Ghost Story · Mystery · Horror · Short Story · Classic Literature · English Literature · Victorian Era · School Setting · Coming of Age · Friendship · Betrayal