A Shot in the Dark by Saki (1911)
Philip Sletherby, a political aspirant, travels to Brill Manor, the estate of Honoria Saltpen-Jago, hoping to secure her support for a parliamentary seat. On the train, he encounters a young man claiming to be Bertie, the second son of Mrs. Saltpen-Jago, who is in a financial bind after leaving his sovereign purse behind. Bertie asks Sletherby for a loan, which Sletherby initially agrees to but later retracts upon discovering inconsistencies in Bertie's story regarding their family crests. Sletherby deduces that Bertie is not who he claims to be, having previously met Mrs. Saltpen-Jago and knowing she is a blonde, while Bertie describes her as resembling him with dark hair. After leaving Bertie cursing on the platform, Sletherby arrives at Brill Manor, where he is greeted by a footman and Claude People, a lawyer who traveled with him. As they ride to the manor, Claude discusses the impressive car and the local gossip, but Sletherby is preoccupied with the crests displayed on the vehicle, which confirm his suspicions about Bertie's deception. Upon arrival, Claude praises Honoria's intelligence and influence but notes her recent change to blonde hair, which Sletherby finds troubling given Bertie's earlier description. The narrative explores themes of social status, deception, and the intersection of personal and political ambitions. Sletherby's encounter with Bertie serves as a catalyst for his reflections on authenticity and the importance of reputation in both social and political spheres. The story culminates in a tension between appearances and reality, as Sletherby navigates the complexities of his aspirations while grappling with the implications of his encounter with the impostor.
By Saki · First published 1911 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Social Commentary · 2,116 words
First lines
Philip Sletherby settled himself down in an almost empty railway carriage, with the pleasant consciousness of being embarked on an agreeable and profitable pilgrimage. He was bound for Brill Manor, the country residence of his newly achieved acquaintance, Mrs. Saltpen-Jago. Honoria Saltpen-Jago was a person of some social importance in London, of considerable importance and influence in the county of Chalkshire. The county of Chalkshire, or, at any rate, the eastern division of it, was of immediate personal interest to Philip Sletherby; it was held for the Government in the present Parliament by a gentleman who did not intend to seek reelection, and Sletherby was under serious consideration by the Party managers as his possible successor. The majority was not a large one, and the seat could not be considered safe for a Ministerial candidate, but there was an efficient local organisation, and with luck the seat might be held. The Saltpen-Jago influence was not an item which could be left out of consideration, and the political aspirant had been delighted at meeting Honoria at a small and friendly luncheon-party, still more gratified when she had asked him down to her country house for the following Friday-to-Tuesday. He was obviously "on approval," and if he could secure the goodwill of his hostess he might count on the nomination as an assured thing. If he failed to find favour in her eyes -- well, the local leaders would probably cool off in their embryo enthusiasm for him.
What this Textopian page supports
A Shot in the Dark is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Saki
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Comedy, Social Commentary, Fiction, Mystery
- Length: 2,116 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Shot in the Dark by Saki
- 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 A Shot in the Dark?
- How does this short story by Saki fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Satire — The story critiques social and political aspirations, highlighting the absurdities of class and status.
- Comedy — The humorous interactions and misunderstandings between characters create a comedic atmosphere.
- Social Commentary — The narrative reflects on societal norms and the influence of social connections in politics.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional narrative centered around character interactions and plot development.
Tags
humor · satire · short story · irony · social commentary · British literature · dark comedy · character study · absurdity · class differences · wit · narrative twist