Mrs. Mcwilliams and the Lightning
The narrative follows Mr. McWilliams, who is plagued by his wife Evangeline's intense fear of lightning during a thunderstorm. The story begins with Evangeline calling out to her husband from a closet, expressing her distress over the storm. She believes that staying in bed during such weather is dangerous, and she insists that Mortimer should take precautions to protect himself and their children. As the storm intensifies, Evangeline's panic escalates, leading to a series of humorous exchanges between the couple. Mortimer attempts to rationalize the situation, arguing that he cannot be blamed for the storm and that he has not neglected his prayers. Evangeline, however, is convinced that every action Mortimer takes could attract lightning, from lighting a match to standing near a window. In a frantic effort to ensure Mortimer's safety, Evangeline instructs him to don various items for protection, including a fireman's helmet and a militia sabre. She believes that metals will act as lightning rods, and she insists on following the advice from a German book she has. Mortimer, caught in the absurdity of the situation, complies with her demands while trying to maintain his sanity. The couple's antics culminate in Mortimer ringing a large dinner bell in an attempt to ward off the lightning, which Evangeline believes is a necessary precaution. However, the chaos is interrupted when neighbors, drawn by the noise, come to investigate. They inform Mortimer that there is no storm; instead, the flashes and sounds were from cannon fire celebrating a political event. The story concludes with Mortimer reflecting on the absurdity of their situation, highlighting the irony of Evangeline's fears and the lengths they went to in the name of safety. The narrative serves as a comedic exploration of irrational fears and the dynamics of marital relationships under stress.
By Mark Twain · First published 1945 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Fiction · 3,603 words
First lines
Well, sir,-continued Mr. McWilliams, for this was not the beginning of his talk; -the fear of lightning is one of the most distressing infirmities a human being can be afflicted with. It is mostly confined to women; but now and then you find it in a little dog, and sometimes in a man. It is a particularly distressing infirmity, for the reason that it takes the sand out of a person to an extent which no other fear can, and it can't be _reasoned_ with, and neither can it be shamed out of a person. A woman who could face the very devil himself-or a mouse-loses her grip and goes all to pieces in front of a flash of lightning. Her fright is something pitiful to see.
What this Textopian page supports
Mrs. Mcwilliams and the Lightning is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mark Twain, dated 1945 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mark Twain
- Date: 1945 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Satire, Fiction, Domestic Comedy, Short Story
- Length: 3,603 words
- Structure: 1 section, 94 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mrs. Mcwilliams and the Lightning by Mark Twain
- 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 Mrs. Mcwilliams and the Lightning?
- How does this short story by Mark Twain fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Power Of Reputation by O. Henry
- The Cake by Guy De Maupassant
- The Enchanted Profile by O. Henry
- Masters Of Arts by O. Henry
- The Judges Spirited Woman by Mark Twain
- After Supper by O. Henry
Genres
- Humor — The book employs comedic dialogue and absurd situations, particularly through the interactions between Mortimer and Evangeline.
- Satire — It satirizes human fears and irrational behaviors, especially regarding superstitions about lightning.
- Fiction — The narrative is a fictional account centered around a couple's humorous predicament during a thunderstorm.
- Domestic Comedy — The story focuses on domestic life and the comedic dynamics of a married couple.
Tags
American Literature · Classic Novel · Fiction · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · 19th Century · Novel of Manners · Domestic Drama · Family Life · Marriage · Relationships