On the Gate by Rudyard Kipling
The narrative unfolds in a celestial realm where Death and St. Peter discuss the challenges faced by the Necrological Departments due to a rising death rate from war. The inefficiencies and confusion in managing souls lead to a chaotic admission process at the Gate of Heaven. St. Peter, overwhelmed by the influx of souls, relies on a volunteer staff, while Death observes the disorganization and the need for adaptation to the new realities of mortality. As they navigate through the offices of Normal Civil Death, they encounter various clerks and officials, each grappling with the implications of the war on their duties. The Civil Death department expresses grievances about losing resources to the War-side, highlighting the bureaucratic struggles between the two realms. Death and St. Peter witness the absurdities of the system, including the trivialization of funeral rites and the lack of respect for the deceased. The story introduces a range of characters, including a volunteer clerk who transforms into a faun-eared Imp, symbolizing the potential for redemption and grace. The narrative emphasizes the importance of compassion and understanding in dealing with souls, as Death and St. Peter engage with various cases, including a soldier's last words and the emotional struggles of those left behind. As the plot progresses, the focus shifts to the Convoy of souls arriving at the Gate, where St. Peter and Death must navigate the challenges posed by the Lower Establishment—spirits that seek to mislead and exploit the newly arrived souls. The tension between hope and despair is palpable as St. Peter works to ensure that souls are guided correctly, while Death reflects on the nature of humanity and the complexities of existence. The climax reveals a soldier grappling with his identity and past actions, leading to a moment of reckoning. St. Peter's intervention, based on a biblical principle of redemption, offers a glimmer of hope for the lost soul. The narrative concludes with a sense of camaraderie among the souls as they march towards their destinies, underscoring themes of forgiveness, the human condition, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. Overall, the work explores profound philosophical questions about life, death, and the afterlife, blending humor with poignant reflections on the nature of existence and the bureaucratic absurdities that accompany the transition from life to death.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1926 · Genre: Fantasy, Satire, Philosophical Fiction · 8,486 words
First lines
A Tale of '16
If the Order Above be but the reflection of the Order Below (as that Ancient affirms, who had some knowledge of the Order) it is not outside the Order of Things that there should have been confusion also in the Department of Death. The world's steadily falling death-rate, the rising proportion of scientifically prolonged fatal illnesses, which allowed months of warning to all concerned, had weakened initiative throughout the Necrological Departments. When the War came, these were as unprepared as civilised mankind; and, like mankind, they improvised and recriminated in the face of Heaven.
What this Textopian page supports
On the Gate is listed on Textopian as a novella by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Satire, Philosophical Fiction, Allegory, Literary Fiction
- Length: 8,486 words
- Structure: 1 section, 213 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves supernatural elements such as Death, St. Peter, and angels, set in a fantastical afterlife realm.
- Satire — The work critiques bureaucratic inefficiencies and human nature through humor and irony, particularly in the context of death and the afterlife.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores deep themes of existence, morality, and the nature of life and death, prompting reflection on human beliefs and values.
- Allegory — The characters and events symbolize broader concepts such as judgment, redemption, and the human condition, conveying moral lessons.
Tags
adventure · mystery · exploration · nature · friendship · courage · conflict · identity · growth · journey · discovery · imagination