The Changeling by Mary Lamb (1809)
The Changeling, written by Mary Lamb in 1808, is a gothic novel that tells the story of a man named John Middleton who returns to his ancestral home after inheriting it from an uncle. However, he soon discovers that the house is haunted by a changeling, a supernatural being that has taken the place of his own son, who was switched at birth with a changeling. The novel explores themes of identity, family secrets, and the supernatural, as Middleton tries to uncover the truth about his son's fate and the mysterious events occurring in the house.
By Mary Lamb · First published 1809 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure · 5,305 words
First lines
My name, you know, is Withers; but as I once thought I was the daughter of Sir Edward and Lady Harriet Lesley, I shall speak of myself as Miss Lesley, and call Sir Edward and Lady Harriet my father and mother during the period I supposed them entitled to those beloved names. When I was a little girl, it was the perpetual subject of my contemplation that I was an heiress, and the daughter of a baronet; that my mother was the Honourable Lady Harriet; that we had a nobler mansion, infinitely finer pleasure-grounds, and equipages more splendid than any of the neighbouring families. I am ashamed to confess what a proud child I once was. How it happened I cannot tell, for my father was esteemed the best-bred man in the country, and the condescension and affability of my mother were universally spoken of.
What this Textopian page supports
The Changeling is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Lamb, dated 1809 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary Lamb
- Date: 1809 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure
- Length: 5,305 words
- Structure: 1 section, 72 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Changeling by Mary Lamb
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Changeling?
- How does this short story by Mary Lamb fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Fantasy — The book features fantastic elements such as elves and magical transformations.
- Children's Literature — The book is primarily targeted towards children, with its easily accessible language and typical children's themes such as the power of imagination.
- Adventure — The story follows the main character's adventurous journey through a magical world.
Tags
fantasy · fairy tale · mythology · childhood · identity · transformation · family · magic · adventure · innocence · betrayal · loss