The Mezzotint by M.R. James (1931)
A scholar of the occult discovers a rare mezzotint that depicts a scene from his own past, leading him to question his sanity and confront the dark forces that have haunted him since childhood.
By M.R. James · First published 1931 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Mystery · 5,469 words
First lines
Some time ago I believe I had the pleasure of telling you the story of an adventure which happened to a friend of mine by the name of Dennistoun, during his pursuit of objects of art for the museum at Cambridge.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mezzotint is listed on Textopian as a short story by M.R. James, dated 1931 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: 1931 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Supernatural Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 5,469 words
- Structure: 1 section, 77 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mezzotint 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 Mezzotint?
- 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
- An Evenings Entertainment by M. R. James
- The Five Jars by M. R. James
- The Story Of A Disappearance And An Appearance by M. R. James
- The Haunted Dolls House by M. R. James
- A View From A Hill by M. R. James
- Two Doctors by M. R. James
Genres
- Horror — The story features supernatural elements and a sense of dread, particularly surrounding the mysterious changes in the mezzotint.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting and themes evoke a Gothic atmosphere, with an old manor house and elements of the macabre.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around the investigation of the mezzotint and the mystery of the figure depicted in it.
- Supernatural Fiction — The narrative includes supernatural occurrences that defy logical explanation, central to the plot.
Tags
Supernatural Fiction · Ghost Story · Horror · Mystery · Short Story Collection · Classic Horror · British Literature · 19th Century Literature · 20th Century Literature · Gothic Fiction · Atmospheric Setting · Psychological Thriller