The Prisoner by Marjorie Pickthall
A soldier named Berry finds himself lost in a desolate landscape during wartime. After abandoning his broken-down car, he wanders through a silent, ravaged town, eventually discovering a small group of survivors: an old woman, a priest, and a meek man. They reside in what was once a vibrant community, now reduced to ruins. Despite the destruction, the old woman maintains a semblance of normalcy, creating paper toys and caring for the others. Berry learns that the town is St. Aubyn, a place marked by tragedy, particularly the massacre of children by a German officer named Von Eichensau. The priest reveals that they are sheltering a prisoner, the very officer responsible for the horrors inflicted upon the town. This man, now broken and mad, refuses to leave the confines of the room where he hides, haunted by the memories of the children he killed. As Berry grapples with the reality of the situation, he becomes increasingly aware of the emotional weight carried by the survivors. They have chosen to remain in the town, not out of obligation, but as a means of confronting their past and preserving the memory of the lost children. The old woman’s act of making toys symbolizes a connection to the innocence that was destroyed. Tension escalates when Berry, believing he is in danger, prepares to confront the prisoner. However, he learns that the man is not a threat; rather, he is a tragic figure trapped by his own guilt. The priest explains that the prisoner cannot escape the ghosts of his past, as he is haunted by the faces of the children he murdered. In the end, Berry leaves St. Aubyn, carrying with him a small paper windmill made by the old woman. He plants it in the ground as a tribute to the lost children, signifying a promise to remember them. The story explores themes of guilt, memory, and the haunting nature of war, illustrating how the past continues to shape the lives of those who survive its horrors.
By Marjorie Pickthall · First published 1913 · Genre: War Fiction, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction · 5,618 words
First lines
The car was hopelessly dislocated, that was evident; when Berry started the engine, it clucked like a dying hen for a few revolutions, and failed. He was minded to waste no more time on it. He stowed the contents of the tool-box mysteriously about his person, hid the spare can of petrol in the ditch, and departed to find his bearings, and, if possible, a warm barn to sleep in. Once he looked back at the car. "You look lorst, old girl," said Berry, "but you aint 'arf so lorst and lonesome as me."
What this Textopian page supports
The Prisoner is listed on Textopian as a short story by Marjorie Pickthall, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Marjorie Pickthall
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: War Fiction, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Psychological Drama, Short Story
- Length: 5,618 words
- Structure: 1 section, 64 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Prisoner by Marjorie Pickthall
- 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 Prisoner?
- How does this short story by Marjorie Pickthall fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does War Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- War Fiction — The plot centers around a soldier's experiences during and after a war, exploring themes of loss, survival, and the psychological impact of conflict.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is introspective and character-driven, focusing on the emotional and psychological depth of the protagonist and the setting.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set against the backdrop of a specific historical event, reflecting the realities of war and its aftermath.
- Psychological Drama — The narrative delves into the mental states of the characters, particularly the protagonist's internal struggles and the effects of trauma.
Tags
Prison Drama · Literary Fiction · Coming-of-Age · Social Commentary · Psychological Insight · Female Protagonist · Isolation · Confinement · Mental Health · Self-Discovery · Romance · Class Conflict