The Goblin Face
The narrative unfolds through the recollections of a young girl who spends her summers in her uncle's old house in Scotland. The setting is characterized by its gloomy appearance, yet it is filled with warmth and kindness from her uncle and the household staff. The protagonist, a sensitive child, experiences a significant shift in her happiness after falling ill. To aid her recovery, the family visits the uncle's home earlier than usual, but the cold and rainy weather confines them indoors. During this time, an old servant shares ghost stories, which captivate the older siblings but terrify the young girl. Her imagination runs wild, leading her to develop a deep-seated fear of the dark and the unknown, particularly at night. She becomes increasingly anxious, avoiding being alone and dreading bedtime, while her family remains unaware of her internal struggles. The girl feels misunderstood, believing her fears will be dismissed as childish. The turning point occurs one night when she awakens to find a strange light illuminating a vase on a high shelf, which she perceives as a grinning goblin face. Overcome by terror, she flees her bed and collapses into her mother's arms, who comforts her and explains the source of the light. The vase, once a source of fear, becomes a symbol of her childhood memories and her mother's nurturing presence. Ultimately, the experience, while traumatic, fosters a deeper bond between the girl and her mother, allowing her to appreciate her mother's understanding nature. The vase remains a cherished object, serving as a reminder of her childhood fears and the love that helped her overcome them. The story encapsulates themes of fear, misunderstanding, and the transformative power of maternal love.
By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1896 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Children's Literature, Psychological Fiction · 1,381 words
First lines
When I was a very little girl, I spent a good deal of my life in a large old-fashioned house in a very out-of-the-way part of Scotland. It was not really our home, but it almost seemed so, for we used to go there as soon as the fine mild weather set in, and stay till the shortening days and the first frosts told of winter's approach. It was the home of our uncle -- my mother's only brother -- and as he had never married, and she was many years younger than he, she seemed to him more like his daughter than his sister, and he was never so happy as when he had her and all us children to brighten up his rather gloomy old house. Gloomy it might be in appearance, but in nothing else, for my uncle was the kindest of men, and he and all his old servants used to receive us with a welcome that would have made the grimmest of abodes seem sunshiny and cheerful. I could tell dozens -- nay, scores of stories of our child-life in the old castle -- of our games in the house, and out of doors, of the cottagers with all of whom we were on most intimate terms, of all sorts of adventures that befel us, but just now, I mean only to relate one very short, and perhaps not very interesting, story, because I think it may be of use to some children who may read it.
What this Textopian page supports
The Goblin Face is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Louisa Molesworth, dated 1896 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 Louisa Molesworth
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Children's Literature, Psychological Fiction, Fantasy, Memoir
- Length: 1,381 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Goblin Face by Mary Louisa Molesworth
- 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 Goblin Face?
- How does this short story by Mary Louisa Molesworth fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Lorelei Of The Red Mist by Ray Bradbury
- The Enchanted Wood by Oliver Herford
- The Oriel Window by Mary Louisa Molesworth
- The Enchanted Trunks by Mary Louisa Molesworth
- Peterkin by Mary Louisa Molesworth
- The Devils Due by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The story features elements of fear, the supernatural, and a dark atmosphere, typical of Gothic literature.
- Children's Literature — The narrative is aimed at a younger audience, focusing on childhood fears and experiences.
- Psychological Fiction — The protagonist's internal struggles with fear and anxiety are central to the plot.
- Fantasy — The presence of a 'goblin face' introduces fantastical elements into the story.
Tags
Fantasy · Children's Literature · Adventure · Mystery · Supernatural · Goblins · Magic · Friendship · Growing Up · Coming of Age · Imagination · Reality vs Fantasy