Wressley of the Foreign Office
The narrative follows a middle-aged bureaucrat in the Foreign Office, known for his extensive knowledge of Central India, who becomes infatuated with a young, carefree woman named Tillie Venner. Wressley, who is dedicated to his work, finds his focus disrupted by his feelings for her. Despite his professional accomplishments, he feels inadequate in her presence and struggles to impress her with his work. In a bid to win her affection, he embarks on a year-long leave to write a comprehensive book on "Native Rule in Central India," pouring his heart and soul into the project. His passion transforms his writing, infusing it with depth and insight, resulting in what he believes to be his magnum opus. However, upon presenting the finished work to Venner, she fails to grasp its significance, dismissing it as incomprehensible. Devastated by her lack of appreciation, Wressley returns to his bureaucratic duties, feeling diminished and questioning the value of his work. Years later, while preparing to retire, he discovers the only existing copy of his book and reflects on its quality, realizing that the inspiration for it was fleeting and tied to his unreciprocated love. This realization leads him to a bitter acknowledgment of his own potential and the transient nature of his achievements, leaving him with a sense of loss and regret over what could have been.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1899 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Satire · 2,617 words
First lines
I closed and drew for my love's sake, / That now is false to me, / And I slew the Riever of Tarrant Moss, / And set Dumeny free. / And ever they give me praise and gold, / And ever I moan my loss, / For I struck the blow for my false love's sake, / And not for the men at the Moss. / Tarrant Moss.
What this Textopian page supports
Wressley of the Foreign Office is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1899 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: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Satire, Romance, Adventure
- Length: 2,617 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Wressley of the Foreign Office by Rudyard Kipling
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- The White Wife And The Brown Woman by Louis Becke
- The Most Beautiful Woman In Paris by Ludovic Halevy
- A Question Of Precedence by Louis Becke
- The Wife by Washington Irving
- The Muse Of The Department by Honore De Balzac
- Lady Baltimore by Owen Wister
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex themes of love, ambition, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical context, focusing on British colonial administration in India.
- Satire — The text critiques the bureaucracy and absurdities of colonial life, employing humor and irony.
- Romance — The plot centers around Wressley's romantic feelings for Miss Venner, influencing his actions and decisions.
Tags
Rudyard Kipling · Wressley · Foreign Office · India · Colonialism · Love · Historical Fiction · Civil Service · Bengal Civilian · Rajput · Central India · Political Commentary