The Giftie Gien by Malcolm Jameson
The narrative follows a sales manager at a household appliance company, J. C. Chisholm, who prides himself on his keen observational skills and self-perception. He enjoys a sense of superiority over his employees, particularly a struggling salesman, Firrel, whom he dismisses as incompetent. Chisholm's interactions with his secretary, Maizie, reveal his self-absorption and lack of empathy. He believes he is a masterful manager, oblivious to the discontent among his staff. As the day progresses, Chisholm prepares for an evening meeting with an important buyer, feeling confident and in control. However, his arrogance leads him to underestimate the dangers around him. While walking through a park, he is brutally mugged and killed, marking a sudden shift in the narrative. After his death, Chisholm finds himself in a surreal afterlife, where he is confronted by a demon who explains that he is to be judged based on the perceptions of others. A crowd of shades, representing various people from his life, begins to form a composite image of him on stage. Each shade embodies the opinions and judgments of Chisholm's character, revealing a distorted and unflattering view of himself. As the shades continue to merge, Chisholm is horrified to see the negative aspects of his personality and the impact of his actions on others. The demon informs him that this composite image is the result of his life’s work and that he must contemplate it for eternity. Chisholm's initial confidence crumbles as he realizes that his self-perception is vastly different from how others see him. The narrative culminates in a profound exploration of identity, reputation, and the consequences of one's actions, leaving Chisholm to grapple with the reality of his existence and the legacy he has created.
By Malcolm Jameson · First published 1943 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Satire, Psychological Fiction · 7,754 words
First lines
It was five o'clock. The girls were getting ready to go home and the city salesmen were beginning to come trooping in. Mr. J. C. Chisholm, sales manager of the Pinnacle Office & Household Appliance Corp., folded his pudgy hands across his ample middle and sat back in his chair to watch the daily ritual going on beyond the clear-glass partition that separated his office from the salesmen's room. A bland smile was on his pink face and a stranger might have said that he appeared to be beaming with satisfaction and good will. At any rate, the smile was there, and, as a matter of fact, Mr. Chisholm was quite satisfied with himself. There was not the slightest doubt in his mind -- and the incoming orders up to that hour were added proof of it -- that he was the best little old sales manager POHAC had ever had. Consequently, he viewed the activities beyond the partition with the utmost amiability.
What this Textopian page supports
The Giftie Gien is listed on Textopian as a short story by Malcolm Jameson, dated 1943 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Malcolm Jameson
- Date: 1943 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Satire, Psychological Fiction, Drama, Fantasy
- Length: 7,754 words
- Structure: 1 section, 116 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Giftie Gien by Malcolm Jameson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Giftie Gien?
- How does this short story by Malcolm Jameson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex themes of identity, perception, and morality through character interactions and internal conflicts.
- Satire — The story critiques corporate culture and human behavior, using humor and irony to highlight the flaws of the protagonist and society.
- Psychological Fiction — The plot delves into the psychological aspects of self-perception and the impact of others' views on one's identity.
- Drama — The emotional and interpersonal conflicts among characters create a dramatic tension that drives the narrative.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · Pulp Fiction · Adventure · Action · Exploration · Alien Invasion · Humanity's Future · Colonization · Interstellar Travel · Advanced Technology · Military Conflict