The Puzzler by Rudyard Kipling
The narrative follows the protagonist's encounter with Penfentenyou, a colonial minister who has returned to England to promote a significant political idea. The protagonist welcomes him into his home, only to find that Penfentenyou is preoccupied with urgent political matters, leading to a chaotic atmosphere filled with telegraphic communications and meetings. Penfentenyou expresses frustration with the English political system, particularly with his counterpart, who seems oblivious to the pressing issues of the colony. The protagonist attempts to mediate, suggesting that Penfentenyou should engage with the English minister more formally. However, Penfentenyou's disdain for the English bureaucracy becomes evident as he recounts his failed attempts to communicate his ideas. The story takes a humorous turn when Penfentenyou and the protagonist travel to meet Lord Lundie, a law lord, to discuss the Great Idea. Their journey is marked by Penfentenyou's critical observations of English society, which he views as immature and lacking in seriousness. They encounter various characters, including an organ-grinder and his monkey, which becomes a focal point of a comedic subplot. As they reach Lord Lundie's residence, the monkey escapes, leading to a chaotic chase involving the protagonist, Penfentenyou, and the English gentlemen. The pursuit culminates in a series of misunderstandings and comedic situations, highlighting the absurdities of both English and colonial life. Ultimately, the narrative resolves with Penfentenyou's idea gaining traction, albeit with some compromises. The protagonist reflects on the events, noting the unexpected alliances formed and the humorous yet insightful commentary on the nature of governance and cultural differences. The story concludes with a sense of accomplishment for Penfentenyou, who has successfully navigated the complexities of English politics, while the protagonist finds satisfaction in the chaos that unfolded.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1932 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Political Fiction · 6,849 words
First lines
I had not seen Penfentenyou since the Middle Nineties, when he was Minister of Ways and Woodsides in De Thouar's first Administration. Last summer, though he nominally held the same portfolio, he was his Colony's Premier in all but name, and the idol of his own province, which is two and a half times the size of England. Politically, his creed was his growing country; and he came over to England to develop a Great Idea in her behalf.
Believing that he had put it in train, I made haste to welcome him to my house for a week.
What this Textopian page supports
The Puzzler is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1932 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: 1932 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Comedy, Political Fiction, Social Commentary, Adventure
- Length: 6,849 words
- Structure: 1 section, 171 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Puzzler 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Puzzler?
- How does this short story by Rudyard Kipling fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Satire — The book critiques political and social issues through humor and irony, particularly regarding colonialism and British attitudes.
- Comedy — The narrative employs comedic elements, including absurd situations and character interactions, to entertain while conveying deeper messages.
- Political Fiction — The plot revolves around political discussions and the dynamics between colonial leaders and British officials, highlighting governance and policy.
- Social Commentary — The themes explore societal norms and behaviors, particularly in the context of British colonial attitudes and relationships.
Tags
mystery · puzzle · adventure · suspense · intrigue · detective · problem-solving · narrative · fiction · short story · literary · imagination