The Haunted Dolls' House
A young woman inherits a doll's house from her great-aunt, which she discovers contains a miniature version of her own childhood home. As she explores the doll's house, she uncovers evidence that it was built to mirror her family's history and secrets. The story delves into themes of inheritance, family legacy, and the power of objects to hold and reveal the past.
By M.R. James · First published 1923 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Supernatural · 5,681 words
First lines
"I suppose you get stuff of that kind through your hands pretty often? " said Mr. Dillet, as he pointed with his stick to an object which shall be described when the time comes: and when he said it, he lied in his throat, and knew that he lied. Not once in twenty years -- perhaps not once in a lifetime -- could Mr. Chittenden, skilled as he was in ferreting out the forgotten treasures of half a dozen counties, expect to handle such a specimen. It was collectors' palaver, and Mr. Chittenden recognized it as such.
"Stuff of that kind, Mr. Dillet! It's a museum piece, that is."
What this Textopian page supports
The Haunted Dolls' House is listed on Textopian as a short story by M.R. James, dated 1923 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: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Supernatural, Mystery, Literary Fiction
- Length: 5,681 words
- Structure: 1 section, 68 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Haunted Dolls' House 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 The Haunted Dolls' House?
- 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
- The Five Jars by M. R. James
- A View From A Hill by M. R. James
- An Evenings Entertainment by M. R. James
- Mr Humphreys And His Inheritance by M. R. James
- The Mezzotint by M. R. James
- A Neighbours Landmark by M. R. James
Genres
- Horror — The narrative features supernatural elements, a sense of dread, and a chilling atmosphere, typical of horror literature.
- Gothic Fiction — The story incorporates Gothic elements such as a haunted house, dark themes, and a focus on the macabre.
- Supernatural — The plot revolves around supernatural occurrences and the eerie experiences of the protagonist.
- Mystery — The story presents a mystery surrounding the dolls' house and its history, engaging the reader in uncovering its secrets.
Tags
Supernatural Fiction · Ghost Story · Horror · Mystery · Short Story Collection · Classic Horror · British Literature · Victorian Era · Haunted House · Dolls' House · Paranormal Activity · Psychological Thriller