An Unfinished Story
The narrative unfolds at a dinner party hosted by Mrs. Trevelyan, where a diverse group of guests gathers for a final social event before the summer break. Among them are Miss Egerton, an American girl engaged to Lord Arbuthnot, and Gordon, an explorer recently returned from Africa. The conversation shifts to a debate about the nature of truth in storytelling, with General Kent arguing that fiction often distorts reality by focusing on dramatic moments rather than the mundane truths of life. As the discussion progresses, Gordon is prompted to share a personal story from his recent expedition. He recounts finding a severely injured man in the African jungle, who, despite his dire condition, expresses profound love for a woman back home. The man, a failed explorer, had been left for dead by his men while attempting to reach Lake Tchad. He entrusts Gordon with a locket and a message for the woman he loves, revealing the depth of his feelings and the sacrifices he made for her. Gordon's tale captures the attention of the guests, particularly Miss Egerton, who becomes visibly affected by the story. The man survives long enough to travel back to civilization, but ultimately dies at sea, leaving behind the locket that Gordon now presents to Miss Egerton. The emotional weight of the story leads to a tense moment as she grapples with the implications of the man's love and sacrifice. The dinner concludes with Miss Egerton's engagement to Lord Arbuthnot being highlighted, contrasting the tragic fate of the man in Gordon's story. As the guests depart, Gordon reveals that he altered the ending of his tale; the man did not die, suggesting a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy. This twist raises questions about the nature of love, sacrifice, and the stories we tell, leaving the characters and readers to ponder the complexities of human relationships and the often harsh realities of life.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1891 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Drama · 8,551 words
First lines
Mrs. Trevelyan, as she took her seat, shot a quick glance down the length of her table and at the arrangement of her guests, and tried to learn if her lord and master approved. But he was listening to something Lady Arbuthnot, who sat on his right, was saying, and, being a man, failed to catch her meaning, and only smiled unconcernedly and cheerfully back at her. But the wife of the Austrian Minister, who was her very dearest friend, saw and appreciated, and gave her a quick little smile over her fan, which said that the table was perfect, the people most interesting, and that she could possess her soul in peace. So Mrs. Trevelyan pulled at the tips of her gloves and smiled upon her guests. Mrs. Trevelyan was not used to questioning her powers, but this dinner had been almost impromptu, and she had been in doubt. It was quite unnecessary, for her dinner carried with it the added virtue of being the last of the season, an encore to all that had gone before -- a special number by request on the social programme. It was not one of many others stretching on for weeks, for the summer's change and leisure began on the morrow, and there was nothing hanging over her guests that they must go on to later. They knew that their luggage stood ready locked and strapped at home; they could look before them to the whole summer's pleasure, and they were relaxed and ready to be pleased, and broke simultaneously into a low murmur of talk and laughter.
What this Textopian page supports
An Unfinished Story is listed on Textopian as a short story by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Richard Harding Davis
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Drama, Social Commentary, Adventure
- Length: 8,551 words
- Structure: 1 section, 71 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Unfinished Story by Richard Harding Davis
- 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 An Unfinished Story?
- How does this short story by Richard Harding Davis 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 book explores complex themes of love, ambition, and the nature of storytelling, focusing on character development and emotional depth.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around a love story that examines the challenges and sacrifices involved in romantic relationships.
- Drama — The narrative features intense emotional exchanges and conflicts among characters, highlighting the dramatic aspects of their interactions.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms and expectations, particularly regarding class and gender roles in relationships.
Tags
Adventure · Romance · Historical Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century · Novel · Classic · Literary Fiction · Social Commentary · Marriage · Family · Love Story