The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral
A clergyman returns to his old cathedral after a long absence and discovers that the stalls have been rearranged, with some of them now facing away from the altar. He becomes increasingly unsettled by this change and eventually uncovers a dark secret about the cathedral's past.
By M.R. James · First published 1910 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Historical Fiction · 7,069 words
First lines
This matter began, as far as I am concerned, with the reading of a notice in the obituary section of the Gentleman's Magazine for an early year in the nineteenth century:
What this Textopian page supports
The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral is listed on Textopian as a short story by M.R. James, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
- Length: 7,069 words
- Structure: 1 section, 49 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral 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 Stalls of Barchester Cathedral?
- How does this short story by M.R. James fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The narrative features elements of horror, supernatural occurrences, and a dark atmosphere, typical of Gothic literature.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around the investigation of a mysterious death and the uncovering of secrets related to the protagonist's life.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical context, exploring themes relevant to the period, including ecclesiastical life and societal norms.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is characterized by detailed descriptions, introspective character development, and thematic depth.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Horror Story · Supernatural Elements · Cathedral Setting · Medieval Atmosphere · Ghost Story · Mystery · Suspenseful Plot · Atmospheric Writing Style · Classic Horror · British Literature · Short Story Collection