Cupid's Arrows by Rudyard Kipling
In a British colonial setting, a beautiful girl, the daughter of a District Judge, navigates the complexities of social expectations and romantic interests. Her mother is eager for her to secure a wealthy match, particularly with a Commissioner known for his wealth and status, despite his extreme ugliness. The Commissioner, Barr-Saggott, is determined to win the girl's affection and orchestrates an archery tournament, offering a diamond-studded bracelet as a prize, which is essentially a means to propose to her. The girl, Kitty Beighton, is skilled in archery and is expected to win the tournament. However, she is also drawn to a handsome but less affluent young man, Cubbon, who genuinely loves her. As the tournament unfolds, Kitty's performance becomes increasingly erratic, seemingly sabotaging her chances to win the bracelet. Her deliberate misses and fancy shooting create tension, particularly for Barr-Saggott, who is visibly distressed by her actions. Ultimately, a younger competitor unexpectedly wins the tournament, leaving Kitty and her mother in shock. The scene culminates in an awkward moment where Barr-Saggott attempts to present the bracelet to the young winner, while Kitty, feeling humiliated, retreats to Cubbon, who offers her support. The story explores themes of societal pressure, the nature of love, and the conflict between personal desire and social obligation.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1910 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romantic Fiction, Historical Fiction · 2,212 words
First lines
Pit where the buffalo cooled his hide, / By the hot sun emptied, and blistered and dried; / Log in the reh-grass, hidden and alone; / Bund where the earth-rat's mounds are strown: / Cave in the bank where the sly stream steals; / Aloe that stabs at the belly and heels, / Jump if you dare on a steed untried -- / Safer it is to go wide -- go wide! / Hark, from in front where the best men ride: -- / "Pull to the off, boys! Wide! Go wide! " / The Peora Hunt.
What this Textopian page supports
Cupid's Arrows is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romantic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Satire, Short Story
- Length: 2,212 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cupid's Arrows by Rudyard Kipling
- 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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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex characters and social dynamics within British India, focusing on themes of love, societal expectations, and personal agency.
- Romantic Fiction — The plot centers around romantic entanglements and the choices of the protagonist regarding love and marriage.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical context, reflecting the social norms and cultural practices of British India.
- Satire — The work employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and the absurdities of social status and marriage.
Tags
romance · love · relationships · poetry · short stories · humor · adventure · fate · mythology · cultural commentary · human nature · social satire